A Democratic Virginia state legislator is planning to re-introduce legislation that could have considerable penalties for parents who do not âaffirmâ their childâs gender identity.
ABC affiliate 7News reports Democratic Virginia Delegate Elizabeth Guzman is planning to re-introduce a bill that would update the definition of child abuse and neglect.
Reporter Nick Minok opened a segment on the legislation by noting Guzman claims the bill would âprotect LGBTQ children from their parents and guardians who may not be affirming of their childâs sexual orientation and gender identity.â
âHer bill would expand the stateâs definition of child abuse and neglect to include parents who do not affirm their childâs gender identity or sexual orientation,â he explained.
Guzman told Minok, âThis is how weâre going to push back.â
âThere is an investigation also in place that is not only, you know, from a social worker, but thereâs also police investigation before we make the decision that thereâs going to be a CPS charge,â she added.
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When asked what the potential penalties could be, Guzman stressed there has to be an investigation first, as she noted a charge could harm a parentâs employment or education.
Then she explained there could be a felony or misdemeanor charge.
When asked what she would tell Republicans who claim her bill criminalizes parents, Guzman said, âItâs not. Itâs educating parents because the law tells you the doâs and donâts.â
âSo this law is telling you do not abuse your children because they are LGBTQ,â she insisted.
And when asked if the legislation violates the First Amendment by requiring parents of different faiths to affirm their childâs gender identity or sexual orientation, Guzman said, âThe Bible says to accept everyone for who they are. So thatâs what I tell them when they asked me that question.â
âWe all have a commitment to God, And for those believers out there, we know that thereâs life after life, and there is going to be a conversation between that person and God, and thatâs what weâre after â to go by what the Bible says. It is not my job to judge anyone. It is my job to help people,â she added.
Her plan to re-introduce the legislation comes after Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) rolled out new transgender policies for schools.
The policies require students to access school facilities, such as restrooms, and participate in activities that match their sex at their birth. Additionally, the policy allows teachers to decline to refer to students by their preferred names or pronounces if they feel it would violate their beliefs.
The policy change also suggests schools should inform parents of their childâs gender identity even if they wish to keep it private.
