As an example, each site that distributes the surveys stands to make an additional $5,000 just for asking kids “sexual minority status” questions. According to the CDC, “sexual minority youth” are “those who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual or who have sexual contact with persons of the same or both sexes.” We are very interested to learn the dollar value for all of the other types of questions, as well.
This is the type of bill that we would expect a Majority Republican body to reject. Apparently, the representatives who voted for this bill believe:
1.) Grant money offsets the harm that can be caused to children when exposed to this type of questioning; and,
2.) A student’s right to privacy is a fair trade when grant money is involved.
At one point in the proceedings, Rep. Smith verified for Rep. Stephanie Hilferty (R-Metairie) that this bill is largely about money when asked by Rep. Hilferty if “the data is a means of securing federal funding.” After receiving Rep. Smith's assurance that the survey is a means to get funding, Rep. Hilferty proceeded to vote for the bill:
In a March Sen. Ed. Committee meeting, Sen. Bishop presented legislation that was identical to Rep. Smith’s original bill and it failed to pass. Rep. Smith has attempted to amend her bill in such a way as to negate the objections that killed Rep. Bishop’s proposal.
Please, email & phone Senate Ed. Committee members and let them know that you do not want HB 402 to have a hearing by the Committee. Encourage them to ask the Chair to keep it off of the committee schedule. Should the bill be scheduled for a hearing, ask them to vote NO and tell them that Rep. Smith’s amendments do nothing to diminish your concerns.
Senate Ed. Committee Email Block & phone numbers:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected]
Senator Dan "Blade" Morrish (Chairman) (337) 824-3979; (888) 824-3979
Senator Conrad Appel (504) 838-5550
Senator Gerald Boudreaux (337) 267-7520; (844) 885-6578
Senator John Milkovich (Vice-Chairman) (318) 676-7877
Senator Beth Mizell (985) 839-3936
Senator Mike Walsworth (318) 340-6453; (866) 518-8573
Senator Mack "Bodi" White (225) 272-1324