California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill Monday prohibiting schools from passing policies that require parents to be notified if their children decide to change their gender identity.
The law prevents school officials from “turning over” a student to their parents or anyone else without their permission.
Proponents called the measure a key protection for LGBTQ students as gender identity in schools has become an increasingly fraught political issue.
“Teachers should not be the gender police and violate the trust and safety of students in their classrooms,” sponsoring Assemblymember Chris Ward said in a statement. declaration when the bill was introduced in May.
“Parents should talk to their children, and a student’s decision to come out to their family should be made on their own terms,” Ward continued. “The SAFETY Act simply ensures that conversations about gender identity and sexuality happen at home, without interference from others outside the family unit.”
Eight states have passed laws that require school officials to inform parents if their children change their gender identity or pronouns. Another five encouraged students to “experiment”, according to the Movement Advancement Project.
The bill was supported by state Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) as well as key state public school officials.
“Our schools should be safe havens for all students, not places where some are marginalized simply because of who they are,” Bonta said. “Amid the growing attack on LGBTQ+ rights in California and across the country, it is crucial that schools take the necessary steps to create an environment where every student feels valued and affirmed for who they are.”
Bonta sued the Chino Valley Unified School District in San Bernardino County after its board approved a “forced exit” policy last year. The district later withdrew the policy.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
