California Legislature Bans Schools Notifying Parents of Gender Change Requests

The California legislature erupted in chaos before it passed a ban on parental notification for gender change requests from TK-12 students. If signed by the governor, the bill would render moot the parental notification policies that have been adopted by many California school districts. After the California Department of Education issued guidance that schools should not disclose students’ gender-related record change requests to parents, some California school districts adopted rules requiring parents to be notified if their children request to officially change their pronouns, go by a different name, or use facilities or school programs for children of the opposite gender. California Attorney General Rob Bonta responded by supporting lawsuits against these school districts, and the current bill in question, AB 1955.