LEXINGTON, Ky. — Republican Sen. Gex Williams has filed legislation that would effectively prohibit transgender educators from teaching in Kentucky schools by denying or revoking teaching licenses based on outdated medical classifications, according to Queer Kentucky.

Senate Bill 351, filed Monday, would prevent teaching licenses from being issued to or renewed for educators who have been "treated for or diagnosed with any disorder that is excluded from the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990" using criteria from that era. The ADA exclusion list includes outdated language related to gender identity and gender dysphoria, alongside pedophilia, compulsive gambling, kleptomania and other conditions.

Current and prospective teachers would be required to swear under penalty of perjury that they have never been treated for or diagnosed with any of these conditions. The state's teacher certification board would be empowered to investigate complaints alleging educators show "easily identifiable" signs of excluded disorders and could compel medical examinations, with results provided to the board.

The Kentucky Psychological Association strongly opposes the measure. "Psychological science shows us that LGBTQ+ youth are harmed by the absence of supportive educators," the organization stated. "This bill would deter teachers from seeking mental health care, require sworn perjury statements about abandoned diagnoses, and remove qualified educators based on identity rather than conduct."

The KPA emphasized that the bill would require professionals to use decades-old medical standards rather than current scientific understanding. Psychology and medical science have evolved significantly since the 1980s-era classifications referenced in the bill, the organization noted.

The measure faces an April 1 deadline under the legislative calendar. Gov. Andy Beshear, who has been a vocal supporter of both the LGBTQ+ community and Kentucky's public educators, could veto the legislation if passed.