Senators debate 'Sage's Law' parental-notification bill; proposed nondiscrimination amendment ruled out of order and bill placed on informal calendar

Senator from the eleventh moved the Senate to take up a substitute for Senate Bill 10 85, titled in sponsor remarks as 'Sage's Law,' arguing that the measure would establish a clear 24-hour parental-notification requirement and prohibit school staff from encouraging a minor to withhold information from parents. The sponsor said the bill would make parents "not the last to know" about significant actions at school regarding a child’s social transition and framed the measure as protecting parental rights.

"Parents should not be the last to know when a school is asked to take steps related to a child's social transition," the sponsor said on the floor, laying out an enforcement standard and noting the bill defines terms, staff obligations, and enforcement mechanisms.

During floor debate an amendment was offered by the senator from the fourteenth to replace the title and insert nondiscrimination language intended to protect individuals regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. A point of order from another senator asserted the amendment went beyond the scope of the bill; the point of order was referred to the president pro tem, sustained, and the amendment was sent back. Following that ruling, the parental-notification measure was placed on the informal calendar.

Floor debate on the bill intersected with an extended colloquy on education priorities, budget uncertainty, and the limited five-week calendar remaining in the session. Several senators used the floor time to press for clarity about the state's fiscal trajectory and the implications for school funding and services.

Next steps: The amendment was ruled out of order and the measure was placed on the informal calendar; further drafting or committee work is expected before it returns to the floor.