Fight Over Parental Notification Continues After Chino Valley Ruling
SAN BERNARDINO — In a convoluted ruling from the bench Tuesday, the San Bernardino County Superior Court granted in part and denied in part Chino Valley Unified School District’s motion to dissolve the 2024 injunction blocking the district’s original parental notification policy following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Mirabelli v. Bonta.
Judge Michael Sachs ruled that Chino Valley Unified can adopt a future parental notification policy mandating district schools disclose information to parents regarding their child’s gender transition at school — if the parent affirmatively requests information about their child or objects to the school keeping secrets from them.
However, the judge also ruled that Chino Valley cannot adopt a future policy that requires schools to notify parents of a student’s gender transition if a parent does not inquire with the school or object.
“We’re disappointed but not surprised by the court’s ruling, but this fight is far from over,” said Emily Rae, president of California Justice Center, who argued today’s motion before the court. “The U.S. Supreme Court made clear in Mirabelli that California schools cannot keep secrets from parents.”
“Chino Valley remains committed to defending parents’ constitutional rights,” said Rae.
Rae said the California Justice Center, along with co-counsel in the case Advocates for Faith and Freedom, will consider next steps after the court releases the written ruling in the coming days.
Rae is also representing Chino Valley Unified in another case currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, asking the court to strike down AB 1955, California’s law that prohibits parental notification policies. Argument in that case is soon, pending the Ninth Circuit’s decision in City of Huntington Beach v. Newsom.
“Parents have an absolute right to know what’s happening with their child at school,” said Sonja Shaw, board president of Chino Valley Unified School District. “We won’t stop fighting for parents’ constitutional rights.”
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