Education Dept. opens investigation into California schools' gender identity law
The Department of Education is investigating a California law that bars public schools from disclosing to parents the sexual orientation of their children.
The Department of Education started an investigation Thursday into a new California law that bars public schools from disclosing to parents the sexual orientation of their children.
If the three-month-old law were to be found in violation of federal rules and the Trump administration acted on threats to withhold funding, the state could lose up to $7.9 billion, California Department of Education officials said.
The investigation is the latest move by the Trump administration to address gender identity and sexual orientation in schools and beyond. In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order saying the U.S. would recognize only two sexes, male and female.
At issue is California Assembly Bill 1955, which prohibits schools and their staffs from disclosing a student’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
The Department of Education contends the state law violates the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act, which gives parents the right to access their children’s educational data, including reviewing records regarding sexual orientation.
Rating: 5