Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Monday that prohibits mandating that teachers notify families about student gender identity changes, capping a year-long battle between conservative school boards concerned about “parental rights” and LGBTQ+ activists worried about vulnerable youth.
The new law shields teachers from retaliation for supporting transgender student rights and prohibits K-12 “forced disclosure” rules. It comes in response to school board decisions in some red pockets of California to notify parents if their child changes their name or pronouns, or if students request to use facilities or participate in programs that don’t match their gender on official records.