With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Huntington Beach sues the state over parental notification ban
An aerial view of Huntington Beach.
(
Apu Gomes
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Huntington Beach has filed a lawsuit against the state, challenging a new law that forbids public schools from adopting policies that would require staff to disclose information about a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity to the child’s parents or guardians.
Why now
Earlier this week, the city council passed an ordinance prohibiting educators in the city from withholding information about a child's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression from the child's parents. Then, the city announced the lawsuit against AB 1955, calling it an “egregious piece of legislation” that is "an unconstitutional invasion of the parent/child relationship by the State," and also puts children at risk. You can read the complaint here.
Last night, the City of Huntington Beach filed a lawsuit against the State of California challenging its new AB 1955 law. This is the same egregious piece of legislation that seeks to compel educators to keep secret from parents sensitive, private, and often life-saving… pic.twitter.com/pAsxg3ta4k
— City of Huntington Beach (@CityofHBPIO) September 18, 2024
Sponsored message
-
A rise in antisemitism complaints in K-12 schools prompted a California law creating an agency to educate school staff and investigate cases. -
After a judge flagged “phantom quotations,” Cal State acknowledged AI had been used. -
The majority of the budget cuts are made up of teachers, librarians and other school staff.
Why it matters
Huntington Beach's conservative city government has taken a leading role in fighting against what it sees as overly liberal policies and overbearing mandates from the state. AB 1955 made headlines when it was passed, and this lawsuit will be closely watched throughout the state — and the country. (Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk has weighed in, calling the new law the “final straw” in his decision to move the headquarters for X, formerly known as Twitter, to Texas.)
The backstory
AB 1955 was passed after more than a dozen school boards across the state passed or proposed parental notification policies that would require school officials to inform a parent or guardian if a student asked to use a different name or pronoun than the one assigned at birth.
The arguments for and against AB 1955
Proponents of parental notification policies say parents have the right to know what is going on with their children at school. Opponents say these policies could endanger vulnerable young people who should be able to decide when they are ready to discuss such issues with their parents or guardians.
Sponsored message
Trending on LAist
-
Under the reforms approved by a majority of City Council members, rent hikes would be capped at 4%, even if inflation in the overall economy runs higher. -
The upcoming storm has been tough for forecasters to nail down. The latest prediction is that the heaviest rain could arrive anytime between Thursday and Saturday. -
Some competitions are scheduled around the summer heat. -
Our region has no shortage of great, weird and quirky ads over the decades to pick from. -
California has made a new grade, transitional kindergarten, available for all four-year-olds. LAist reporters spent a day in three schools to find out what students do in class. -
Move over, Louvre heist robbers. Roughly 88,000 Getty artworks can be yours to use however you want.
Best of LAist
