Newsom suggests stricter laws on parental rights in California.

Legislative Push to Restrict Parental Notification on Gender Identity

California governor Gavin Newsom ⁤(D.) has sparked controversy⁢ by hinting at a last-minute legislative crackdown on school districts that ⁢inform parents about their child’s change in gender identity.

“I’ll​ be meeting with the [assembly speaker and senate leader] this evening, we’ll be discussing it,” Newsom said during a speech on public school funding, where⁣ he emphasized California’s support for parents’ rights. “I know that the LGBT [legislative] caucus has some language ⁢they’re working on. ‌I haven’t had the privilege of looking ⁢at it. It’s a work in progress.”

Newsom did not provide further details about the proposed legislation. ​His impromptu announcement was prompted by a reporter’s question regarding two Southern California school districts that recently passed ⁢policies to ⁣notify parents if their children identify as transgender ‌or nonbinary.‌ Representatives for Newsom and the state’s top Democratic legislators did‌ not respond to requests for comment.

This potential legislative push follows threats from the administration towards the Chino Valley Unified School District and Murrieta Valley Unified School District, the first two districts in the state to implement parental notification policies. Last week, the California Department of Justice launched a civil rights probe into Chino Valley. Attorney General⁣ Rob Bonta and state superintendent of public schools Tony⁣ Thurmond have both suggested that the districts may⁤ be violating California law, although they have⁤ not specified which law.

Supporters of⁢ the districts argue that the pending bill is evidence that the threats had no legal basis.

“Isn’t it ironic that they claim everything they⁣ did was legal?” remarked Greg Burt, director of capitol engagement for the California Family Council. “If it’s legal, why do they⁢ need to pass new laws? Maybe it’s not ‍as legal ⁣as they claimed.”

The bill is expected to receive minimal scrutiny⁢ or debate, as it is being introduced at ‌the end of the legislative session. With the support of legislative leaders, it is likely to pass through the ​Democratic supermajority legislature.