California sues school district that requires informing parents if children change gender identity

The State of California is suing a school district over its requirement that schools notify parents if their children change their preferred pronouns or gender identity.

The Chino Valley Unified School District requires that schools inform parents within three days of learning that a student seeks treatment consistent with a different gender than the one on their record, ABC News reported. The state contends that such a policy will potentially compromise the student wellbeing.

"For far too many transgender children and gender nonconforming youth, school serves as their only safe haven — a place away from home where they can find validation, safety, privacy. We have to protect that," Attorney General Rob Bonta said.

The school district, meanwhile, contends that its policy is not illegal and provides ample protections for students by requiring that cases in which the school believes a student may face danger be referred to law enforcement or social services.

"We will stand our ground and protect our children with all we can because we are not breaking the law. Parents have a constitutional right in the upbringing of their children. Period," Chino Valley Unified President Sonja Shaw told the outlet.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.