California Assembly Bill 1955 “would allow schools to secretly, socially and perhaps medically transition your child without your knowledge and consent."
AB 1955, known as The Safety Act, was introduced by Assemblyman Chris Ward, along with the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, on Wednesday, according to a report by KMPH in Fresno. The bill was introduced following reports of students being outed by school staff, sometimes leading to familial rejection or even violence. "I am proud to stand up for our LGBTQ youth and introduce #AB1955 The SAFETY Act," Ward wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday. "Teachers should not be the gender police and violate the trust and safety of the students in their classrooms. This bill will ensure all students have a safe and supportive environment to learn, regardless of their gender identity." Supporters of the bill argue that outing students without their consent can lead to severe mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and in extreme cases, homelessness or self-harm. Advocacy groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Equality California have voiced strong support for the measure.