California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a first-in-the-nation law Monday prohibiting school districts from implementing policies that mandate notifying parents if their child requests to change their gender identification.
The law also prohibits rules that require school staff to disclose a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation to anyone without the child’s consent. Supporters of the law argue that it will safeguard LGBTQ+ students who may not have supportive home environments. However, opponents claim that it will impede schools from being transparent with parents.
This law is part of a larger discussion surrounding local school districts and the rights of parents and LGBTQ+ students.
Democratic Assemblymember Chris Ward, the author of the law, stated, “Politically motivated attacks on the rights, safety, and dignity of transgender, nonbinary, and other LGBTQ+ youth are on the rise nationwide, including in California. While some school districts have adopted policies to forcibly disclose students’ gender identity, the SAFETY Act ensures that discussions about gender identity remain private within the family.”
Several California school districts had previously implemented policies that required notifying parents if a student sought to change their gender identification, prompting pushback from state officials who argue for students’ right to privacy.
Opposing the law is advocate Jonathan Zachreson, who supports parental notification policies and believes informing parents about a student’s request to change their gender identification is crucial for children’s well-being and maintaining trust between schools and parents.
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Across the country, states are considering bans on gender-affirming care, transgender athlete participation in sports, and requirements for schools to disclose information about trans and nonbinary students to their parents. Some states have introduced bills mandating parental notification for any changes to a child’s emotional health or well-being.
The debate over the California law has been intense in the state Legislature. LGBTQ+ lawmakers have shared personal stories about the challenges they faced in coming out to their families, emphasizing that transgender students should have the autonomy to share their identity on their terms. Republican State Assemblymember Bill Essayli is a vocal opponent of the law, criticizing Democratic leaders for blocking his bill from receiving a hearing last year, which would have required parental notification of a child’s gender identification change.
In Northern California, the Anderson Union High School District enforced a parental notification policy last year, but the teachers union advised against enforcing it due to a labor dispute with the district. English teacher and union president Shaye Stephens expressed concerns that the policy puts teachers in a difficult position and is not conducive to student safety.
