FRANKFORT, KY (June 7, 2023) – The following is a statement from Senator Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, regarding Kentucky Department of Education’s absurd interpretation (See Page 8 and 9) of Senate Bill 150:

“It is clear the legislature meant, in Section 2(1)(d) of SB 150, that schools shall not have classes in human sexuality in grades five and below, or study gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation at any grade level. 

Kentucky courts previously ruled that “an interpretation [of a statute] which will lead to an absurd result will be avoided,” and “when necessary to carry out the obvious intention of the Legislature, disjunctive words can be construed as conjunctive, and vice versa.” Chilton v. Gividen, 246 S.W.2d 133, 135 (Ky.1952). 

Obviously, the legislature would not pose these two requirements, which protect children and protect parental rights, as a binary choice for school systems to select to enforce. 

The role of the executive branch is to faithfully execute the law. The Beshear administration is, by extension of Commissioner Jason Glass and the Kentucky Department of Education, making a feeble attempt to undermine the law and shamelessly inject politics into Kentucky classrooms.  KDE demonstrates its clear political lean when it gives SB 150 such a contorted interpretation.  

The Kentucky General Assembly continuously strives to refocus education solely on academics and provide necessary protections for our teachers, parents, and students.”

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Senator Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, represents the 16^th Senate District, including Adair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Taylor Counties and eastern Warren County. Wise is the Co-chair of the Interim Standing Committees on Economic Development and Workforce Investment; co-chair of the Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology; and co-chair of the Task Force on School and Campus Security.