Parental Notification Policies Prohibited

On July 15, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1955, the Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth, or SAFETY Act.  The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2024 and prohibits California public school districts from requiring that teachers inform parents if their child asks to use a name or pronoun different than what was assigned at birth, or if they engage in activities and use space designed for the opposite sex.

This law comes after at least seven school districts passed parent notification policies in the last year. The new legislation also requires the California Department of Education to provide resources to parents and students to help them discuss gender and identity.