The debate over parental rights and the privacy of transgender students in California has reached a boiling point as lawmakers push to limit the authority of public schools in the state. A bill, AB 1955, has been sent to Governor Gavin Newsom by legislators in Sacramento, which would prevent school districts from informing parents if their child uses different pronouns or identifies with a gender different from what is on school records. The bill is currently in the enrollment process, and once received, Newsom will have 12 days to decide whether to sign it into law.
During a heated hearing on June 27 in the state Democratic-led Assembly floor, Assemblyman Bill Essayli, a Republican, strongly opposed the legislation, while Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jim Wood, a Democrat, repeatedly reprimanded Essayli for speaking off-topic and even cut off his microphone multiple times. Despite the opposition, the bill passed by a 60-15 vote.
Essayli criticized the bill, calling it an assault on parental rights and a violation of parents’ constitutional and God-given right to raise their children. He urged Governor Newsom to consider the implications of signing such a policy, especially in light of his rumored presidential ambitions. Essayli proposed a bill last year, AB 1314, which would have required schools to notify parents of any changes in their child’s gender identity, but it failed to advance from the education committee.
Assemblyman Corey Jackson, a member of the LGBTQ community, emphasized the importance of allowing young people to make decisions for themselves and criticized the fearmongering tactics employed by opponents of the bill. He expressed confidence that Governor Newsom would sign AB 1955 into law.
Assemblyman Chris Ward, the author of AB 1955, defended the bill, stating that it will strengthen families and empower individuals to decide when they are ready to share private information about themselves. He argued that policies forcing teachers to act against the best interests of students can cause trauma and harm, as acknowledged by experts in the field.
Despite the support for AB 1955, there are concerns from Republicans, such as Assemblyman James Gallagher, who questioned the assumption that informing parents about their child’s gender identity puts students at risk. Gallagher highlighted the need to recognize that both school officials and parents play crucial roles in students’ lives and should not be pitted against each other.
The bill comes in response to various parent notification policies implemented by school districts across California, some of which have been revised following a lawsuit against the Chino Valley Unified School District. The district amended its policy in March to only disclose that a student has requested a change to their records, rather than specific details about their gender identity.
As the debate continues, the decision rests with Governor Newsom, whose choice will have far-reaching implications for parental rights and transgender students in California. The outcome of this decision will undoubtedly shape the ongoing discourse surrounding education, privacy, and LGBTQ rights in the state.