California State PTA supported Assembly Bill 1955 (Ward), which Governor Newsom signed into law on July 15, 2024. This bill prohibits schools from disclosing a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity while safeguarding educators from retaliation for supporting LGBTQ+ students or following curriculum standards.
PTA firmly believes that all students—including LGBTQIA+ students —have the right to a high-quality, equitable education in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive school. Every student can reach their full potential when the school environment is one in which they are accepted, are truly valued, and can authentically be themselves. The passage of AB 1955 (Ward) will contribute to creating a safer learning environment for LGBTQ+ students.
Key Facts about “The Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth, or SAFETY Act” (AB 1955):
- The SAFETY Act prohibits school districts from requiring staff to disclose to parents information related to a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and will protect school staff from retaliation if they refuse to notify parents of a child’s gender preference.
- The SAFETY Act does not ban educators from sharing information with parents. It only prohibits policies that require educators to share that information with parents.
- The SAFETY Act will go into effect on January 1, 2025. In the meantime, it has become the subject of multiple lawsuits within just 72 hours of becoming law. California courts will have the next say in what happens to this policy.
How Does California State PTA Take a Position on a Bill?
The California State PTA Legislation Action Committee (LAC) is authorized to act on behalf of the State Board of Managers when taking a position on legislative bills. Such action must conform to established PTA authorities. The LAC has representatives from across the state who read, analyze, discuss and vote on bill positions brought before the committee.
Here are a few of the PTA authorities used in establishing PTA’s position on AB 1955:
Statement on Inclusion of Parent’s Rights Language in 2024 Department of Defense (DoDEA) schools from National PTA President Yvonne Johnson:
Families are critical to their children’s success and well-being, provide important perspectives on decisions impacting their children and schools, and must be valued and treated as essential partners in their children’s education and development. But it is critical that ‘parents’ rights’ policies support meaningful family engagement and true family-school partnerships and do not cause unintended harm or disproportionately impact or exclude certain students or families.
2020 National PTA Resolution, RESOLVED 3: “That National PTA encourage state, local units, and councils to review school policies specifically focused on the creation of a safe, inclusive, supportive, and accepting environment in schools and support revisions and amendments to those policies that specifically address the topics of sexual orientation and gender identification/ expression as they relate to creating a safe, inclusive, supportive, and accepting school environment free from violence, harassment, intimidation, and bullying.”
2016 California State PTA Resolution, RESOLVED 3: “That the California State PTA seek and support legislation that creates a safe and accepting environment in schools, specifically with updated health education standards that deal with issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.”
Other available PTA resources on the issue: