Bill Overview
Title: Stop Wrongs to Our Kids’ Educational Meals (W.O.K.E.) Act of 2022
Description: This bill repeals Executive Order 13988, titled Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation , that directs federal agencies to review all policies that implement non-discrimination protections on the basis of sex and extend such protections to the categories of gender identity and sexual orientation. The bill also prohibits the Department of Agriculture from requiring state or local agencies, program operators, or sponsors that participate in the school meal programs to (1) investigate allegations of discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, or (2) update non-discrimination policies and signage to include prohibitions against discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Sponsors: Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by changes to non-discrimination protections based on gender identity or sexual orientation in schools
Estimated Size: 50000000
- The bill affects individuals who benefit from federal non-discrimination policies related to gender identity and sexual orientation, particularly in educational settings.
- Specifically, students who identify as LGBTQ+ in schools that participate in federally supported meal programs would be impacted, as the bill removes protections against discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
- Families and communities with children who are part of the LGBTQ+ community will also be indirectly impacted due to a decrease in institutional support for non-discrimination.
- Educational staff and administrators who implement diversity and inclusion policies would be impacted by changes in required policy updates and non-discrimination practices.
- Legal and advocacy groups focused on LGBTQ+ rights will likely see increased demand for support services in areas affected by reduced federal protections.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects LGBTQ+ students who are vulnerable to discrimination in school meal programs, including receiving meal adjustments or facing stigmatization.
- Budget constraints suggest that the policy effects need to be analyzed in terms of both the immediacy and the scale of impact on the target population.
- The diversity of the U.S. population and the geographic, cultural, and socio-economic differences across regions imply varying levels of policy impact.
- As this legislation affects educational settings, it is likely to impact communities differently depending on school district policies and existing local protections.
Simulated Interviews
student (California)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I know there are other people like me who struggle with being accepted at school. Policies like these make me feel less safe and supported.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 8 |
teacher (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's challenging to constantly adjust to these policy changes. Our main goal is to ensure that students are treated fairly, but it's getting harder without clear protections.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 9 |
lawyer (New York)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy change will increase the workload on our team. More people will need our help, and resources are limited.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
student (Florida)
Age: 17 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am concerned about how my friends might be treated differently now. Everyone should feel safe and equal at school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
school administrator (Illinois)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our job is to ensure a discrimination-free environment. This repeal makes our responsibilities murkier and students more vulnerable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
parent (Alabama)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This scares me. I worry my child might be bullied or denied a fair opportunity without legal protections.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 9 |
recent college graduate (Oregon)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's disheartening to see rights rolling back. This makes me question how supportive institutions really are.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
high school senior (Ohio)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about the fairness at my school and for my friends. We should all be treated equally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
school counselor (Michigan)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I strive to support all students, but this change complicates how we protect some of the most vulnerable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
community organizer (North Carolina)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This repeal reduces our ability to advocate for fair treatment. More resources are needed to fight discrimination locally now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $8000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $12000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The potential costs associated with the policy largely relate to enforcement changes and litigation.
- Potential backlash from communities and advocacy groups may lead to indirect economic effects.
- Impact on state and local agencies' operational protocols due to changes in non-discrimination policies.