California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a first-in-the-nation law Monday prohibiting school districts from implementing policies that require schools to inform parents if their child requests to change their gender identification.
The law prohibits rules that mandate school staff to disclose a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation to anyone else without the child’s consent. Supporters of the legislation argue that it will safeguard LGBTQ+ students who may be facing hostility at home. However, critics argue that it will impede schools’ ability to maintain transparency with parents.
This law is part of a larger debate surrounding local school districts and the rights of parents and LGBTQ+ students.
“Politically motivated attacks on the rights, safety, and dignity of transgender, nonbinary, and other LGBTQ+ youth are increasing nationwide, including in California,” stated Democratic Assemblymember Chris Ward, the author of the law. “While certain school districts have adopted policies to forcibly reveal students, the SAFETY Act ensures that discussions about gender identity remain private within the family.”
The new law was prompted by several California school districts implementing policies that required parental notification when a child sought to change their gender identification. This drew opposition from Democratic state officials who argued for student privacy rights.
Despite this, Jonathan Zachreson, a California advocate supporting parental notification policies, opposes the law, emphasizing that informing parents about a student’s request to change their gender identification is vital for children’s well-being and to maintain trust between schools and parents.
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States nationwide have been pushing for bans on gender-affirming care, prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports, and mandating schools to disclose information about trans and nonbinary students to their parents. Some lawmakers in other states have introduced bills with broad language mandating parental notification for any changes related to their child’s emotional health or well-being.
The California law sparked heated debates in the state Legislature. LGBTQ+ lawmakers shared personal stories about their struggles in deciding when to come out to their families, advocating for transgender students to have autonomy in sharing their identity. State Assemblymember Bill Essayli, a Republican from Riverside County, strongly opposes the law and criticized Democratic leaders for preventing a bill he introduced last year, which would have required parental notification of a child’s gender identification change, from receiving a hearing.
In Northern California, the Anderson Union High School District board approved a parental notification policy last year. However, the teachers union advised against enforcing the rule amid a labor dispute over the policy. Shaye Stephens, an English teacher and president of the teachers association at the district, highlighted the unfair position the notification policies put teachers in.
“It’s a lose-lose situation for teachers, administrators, or anyone being asked to do this. I don’t think it’s safe for students,” she expressed. “I do not believe we are the appropriate individuals to have those conversations with a parent or guardian.”
