California Laws

Links for California Ed Code Laws:

Already in place as of 25-26 school year:

• CA Title IX

• FERPA: Student privacy laws

• AB 9: (2011) Seth’s Law for Anti-Bullying (LGBTQ+ as protected status with equal rights and opportunities)

• AB 827: (2015) Safe Schools Act 

• SB 48: (2011) FAIR Education Act (include the role and contributions of special populations)

• AB 329: (2016) Comprehensive Sexual Education

• AB 1156: (2011) Bullying Prevention

• AB 1266: (2013) Transgender Inclusion Act (name/pronouns usage; participation in activities; facilities that align with gender)

• AB 2246: (2019) Suicide Prevention Act (LGBTQ+ students as a protected group)

• AB 711: (2019) Pupil Records Requirements

• AB 493: (2019) Certificated Teachers in grades 7-12 must be provided with resources for teaching LGBTQ+ students

• SAFETY Act AB1955: (effective Jan 1, 2025) It strengthens existing California law that prohibits school districts from passing forced outing policies of LGBTQ+ students.  It makes it illegal for school districts to take disciplinary action against a staff member following Ed. Code related to supporting LGBTQ+ students.  Maintains school must provide LGBTQ+ resources to students and caregivers, as well as make certain services available.  

• SB 407: (2023) Foster care: LGBTQ+ children must be placed with affirming families (Reportable to CPS) 

Implementation in progress:

• AB 5: (2023) LGBTQ+ Training for Certificated Staff starting in 2025-2026 school year (PRISM writing the curriculum:  Total of 6 trainings; minimum 1 hour per year)

• SB 760: (2023) School facilities: all-gender restrooms (on or before July 1, 2025, each school district, county office of education, and charter school, including charter schools operating in a school district facility, maintaining any combination of classes from kindergarten to grade 12, inclusive, to provide at least one all-gender restroom for voluntary pupil use at each of its schoolsites.)

  • SB 760 Update

• SB 857: (2023) Advisory task force: LGBTQ+ pupil needs by July 1, 2025

• Legal Alert against Forced Outing Policies (01/11/2024)

Sexual Health Education Information:

• ACLU–CHYA Explainer for School Districts

• ACLU–Opt Out Explanation

• Safe Schools–Opt Out Information for Parents

Pride Flags in Classrooms:

• Only two school districts in California ban the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag in classrooms: Temecula Valley Unified School District and the Sunol Glen School District.

Immigration Rights

• CA Safe Haven Initiative

• Reminder of Obligation to Protect Immigrant Families’ Rights – Tony Thurmond

• CA “Know Your Rights” Docs in all languages

National Level Legislation

• Tennessee v Cardona Ruling (January 2025, applies in Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky only) Explainer

• State of CA response to Trump Administration Exec Orders – Tony Thurmond

• Mahmoud v Taylor: 

  • Article from Education Next

  • GLAAD Fact Sheet

  • Article from CA School Board Association

Additional Information

• Chino Valley vs. CA Decision