On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill, AB 1955, into law that bans school districts from requiring parents to be informed if their child decides to become “transgender.” Going forward, the child will have to give school officials consent before parents are included in these conversations.
“This law helps keep children safe while protecting the critical role of parents,” Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom, told the Associated Press. “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.”
Newsom’s signage of the bill got parental rights activists across the country fired up.
“Gavin Newsom wants to be President, and he believes schools should keep secrets from parents about their own children,” Nicki Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, said on X.
“That's a dangerous and completely disqualifying position to hold,” she added.
🚨Governor Gavin Newsom just signed a bill banning California school districts from having policies that require parents to be notified if their child "identifies as transgender" at school.
— Nicki Neily (@nickineily) July 16, 2024
Gavin Newsom wants to be President, and he believes schools should keep secrets from… pic.twitter.com/fn1CuAp0Kn
This week, one school district in Southern California sued Newsom over the law.
The Chino Valley Unified School District and a handful of parents argued the law violates the rights of parents protected under the U.S. Constitution, according to NBC News.
“School officials do not have the right to keep secrets from parents, but parents do have a constitutional right to know what their minor children are doing at school,” Emily Rae, a lawyer representing the district, said in a statement.
Izzy Gardon, a Newsom spokesperson, called the lawsuit “deeply unserious” and asserted that the new law “preserves the child-parent relationship.”
“California law ensures minors can’t legally change their name or gender without parental consent, and parents continue to have guaranteed and full access to their student’s educational records consistent with federal law,” Gardon said in an email. “We’re confident the state will swiftly prevail in this case.”
Last year, Townhall covered how board members of the Chino Valley Unified School District voted in favor of a policy that would require school officials to inform parents if their child identifies as “transgender.” Shortly after, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against a school district.