California made history on Monday as Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation barring schools from requiring staff to notify parents about their child’s gender identification change.
The law specifically prohibits school rules mandating teachers and staff to disclose a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation without the child’s permission.
“This law helps keep children safe while protecting the critical role of parents,” said Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom, in a statement. “It protects the child-parent relationship by preventing politicians and school staff from inappropriately intervening in family matters and attempting to control if, when, and how families have deeply personal conversations.”
The new law has sparked a debate between proponents and opponents. Supporters argue it will safeguard LGBTQ+ students in potentially unwelcoming households, while opponents suggest it hinders school transparency with parents.
The legislation emerges amid a broader national discussion on school district policies and parental rights concerning LGBTQ+ children.
Jonathan Zachreson, an advocate in California who supports parental notification policies, expressed opposition to the law, stating, “Telling parents about a student’s request to change their gender identification is critical to the well-being of children and for maintaining that trust between schools and parents.”
The legislative move follows efforts by some California school districts to implement policies mandating parental notification when a student seeks to change their gender identification, a measure rejected by Democratic state officials who emphasize students’ right to privacy.
States across the United Stated have introduced various measures related to LGBTQ+ issues, including bans on gender-affirming care, restrictions on transgender athletes in sports, and requirements for schools to inform parents about changes in their child’s emotional health or well-being.
