California judge BLOCKS school board from ‘forced outing policy’ that made staff tell parents if a student was trans or gender-nonconforming

A California judge has temporarily overturned a policy proponents say was aimed at bringing out transgender and non-binary students to their parents within a school district.

The San Bernardino Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned Chino Valley Unified’s new rule regarding children identifying as trans or gender nonconforming.

In August, state Attorney General Rob Bonta announced he would be taking legal action against the SoCal district, saying they violated the rights of LGBTQ+ students.

“We have enforced a temporary restraining order against Chino Valley Unified School District’s illegal and dangerous forced outing policy,” Bonta announced on X.

The ‘parental notification’ policy immediately came under fire for allegedly leading staff to report an LGBTQ+ child to their parents if they changed their pronouns.

CVUSD board chair Sonja Shaw – one of the policy’s strongest supporters – said she will work to ensure the policy remains in place

At a Chino Valley Unified School District rally in June, more than 80 members of the public spoke out against the forced disclosure policy

On August 28, Bonta announced that he would file a lawsuit against the Chino Valley Unified School District over the “parental notice policy” issue.

In a statement, Bonta said the restraining order “enforces the state rights of our LGBTQ+ student community and protects children from harm.”

He said they will continue to challenge the policy in court and provide “unwavering support” so that each school district “promotes safety, privacy and inclusiveness.”

“While this battle is far from over, today’s ruling represents an important step toward ensuring the physical, mental and emotional well-being of transgender and gender-nonconforming students,” Bonta’s statement said.

The matter will then be discussed again at a hearing on October 13.

In July, the district school board held a meeting on whether to pass the controversial policy, which ultimately passed 4-1.

The ‘Parental Notice’ policy requires staff to ‘turn off’ transgender and gender nonconforming students to their parents or guardians without their consent.

In Bonta’s lawsuit, the AG alleged that the policy would equalize students against their express wishes.

At the school board meeting earlier this year, dozens of community members raised signs and flags against the forced disclosure policy.

“We have enforced a temporary restraining order against Chino Valley Unified School District’s illegal and dangerous forced outing policy,” Bonta announced on X

Pictured: Members of the Chino Valley United School District

Under the policy, schools in Chino Valley would notify parents in writing within three days if district officials become aware that a student is asking to be identified or treated as a different gender than stated in official records.

Parents are also informed if students have access to gender-segregated activities or use restroom facilities that do not match their gender.

The policy also outlines steps for schools to notify parents of injuries or threats to their children and suicide attempts.

Anthony De Marco, an attorney for Chino Valley Unified, told ABC 7 that the policy would not affect students who had private conversations with teachers.

‘We need those parents to be part of a successful transition,’ says De Marco.

In August, Andi Johnston, a Chino Valley Unified spokesperson, said the district is working with its attorneys to review the lawsuit.

Johnston also said they were complying with demands from state officials and have sent the requested documents in response to a subpoena.

Proponents of the “parental warning system” say it’s not about getting students out, but rather protecting parents’ rights.

CVUSD board chair Sonja Shaw — one of the policy’s strongest supporters — said she is committed to ensuring the policy remains in place.

“We’re going to protect parental rights,” Shaw said in a statement. “It’s a constitutional right and we’re going to make sure our parents in Chino Valley know they’re sending their kids here to be educated, not to be anything else.”

When the lawsuit was first filed, Shaw said she wasn’t surprised because the state government has repeatedly taken steps “to keep parents out of their children’s lives.”

“We will stand our ground and protect our children with everything we can because we are not breaking the law,” Shaw told ABC 7.

Parents have a constitutional right to the education of their children. Period of time.’