California bill would ban schools from forcing teachers to identify transgender students

A bill introduced this month by California lawmakers would prohibit school districts from forcing teachers to notify parents if children ask to use different pronouns, names, bathrooms or locker rooms at school.

The bill, AB 1955, was introduced May 22 by Assemblymember Christopher Ward, D-San Diego, and is backed by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. It would make California the first state to ban schools from requiring teachers to notify parents about their children’s gender identity. Six states have passed legislation requiring schools to do so, and five others have promoted the practice.