With school boardrooms becoming a battleground in the culture war over LGBTQ students and their privacy, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed several bills aimed at protecting these students. The LGBTQ community has been the subject of debate within the California Legislature, with nearly a dozen bills directly impacting them. Here is a breakdown of how these bills have fared:
Assembly Bill 5
Status: Signed by Newsom on September 23
About the bill: AB 5, also known as the “Safe and Supportive Schools Act,” mandates new LGBTQ cultural competency training for teachers and school staff in California. This bill aims to address the high dropout rates, homelessness, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ students. It provides teachers and school staff with the tools and training needed to support these vulnerable students.
Assembly Bill 223
Status: Signed by Newsom on September 23, effective January 1, 2024
About the bill: AB 223, or the “Transgender Youth Privacy Act,” requires courts to seal petitions by minors seeking to legally change their gender or sex identification. This law helps protect the privacy of transgender youth, allowing them to disclose their personal information on their own terms.
Assembly Bill 957
Status: Vetoed by Newsom on September 22
About the bill: AB 957 would have required courts to consider whether a parent affirms their child’s gender identity when granting custody or visitation rights. Newsom vetoed the bill, citing concerns about dictating legal standards and the potential impact on civil rights. The bill aimed to give transgender youth a voice in the family court system, where a non-affirming parent could harm their mental health.
Assembly Bill 1078
Status: Signed by Newsom on September 25
About the bill: AB 1078, known as the “Safe Place to Learn Act,” requires the state Board of Education to develop a policy for local education agencies to follow before removing instructional materials or books from school libraries. The law aims to ensure that instructional materials accurately represent the cultural and racial diversity of society, including LGBTQ Americans and other marginalized groups.
Assembly Bill 1314
Status: Died in committee
About the bill: AB 1314, sponsored by Assemblymember Bill Essayli, would have required school districts to notify parents in writing within three days of their child expressing a desire not to identify by their birth sex. Although the bill did not progress, similar policies have been adopted by school boards across California, leading to legal challenges. A ballot measure in 2024 could enshrine a version of AB 1314 into the state constitution.
Assembly Bill 1432
Status: Vetoed by Newsom on October 7
About the bill: AB 1432 aimed to require out-of-state healthcare insurance providers to comply with California’s constitutional amendment regarding abortion and gender-affirming care. Newsom vetoed the bill, suggesting that current insurance providers may already cover this care and expressing concerns about potential litigation.
Senate Bill 345
Status: Signed by Newsom on September 27
About the bill: SB 345, sponsored by Senator Nancy Skinner, protects insurance providers from the enforcement of other states’ laws that restrict reproductive healthcare services or gender-affirming care. This law allows California-based healthcare providers to offer essential care to residents of states with restrictive laws.
Senate Bill 407
Status: Signed by Newsom on September 23
About the bill: SB 407, sponsored by Senator Scott Wiener, grants LGBTQ foster youth the right to be placed with foster homes according to their gender identity. Foster families receiving instruction on LGBTQ issues and sensitivity training will be able to provide gender-affirming care.
These bills and laws reflect California’s commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of LGBTQ students and community members.
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