OPPOSE AB-1955: Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth Act.
At a last minute hearing, AB 1955 passed Senate Education committee today 5 to 2 along party lines. Next hearing will be in Sen Appropriations Committee Hearing Date: 06/10/24
Take action now. https://p2a.co/A8oNFLx
In a press conference, California Assemblyman Christopher Ward and the LGBQT+ Caucus announced it has gutted and amended AB 1955 after it passed through the Assembly that will make it illegal for schools to lawfully implement policies to notify parents when their child is wanting to transition/ change gender identity and name at school.
Erin Friday, Esq. stated in her substack:
“…judges in California, the school cases have been favorable towards parental rights and teachers who do not wish to be a part of socially transitioning of students behind the parents’ backs. The courtroom is, ultimately, where it will be decided if parents are still able to control that care, custody and upbringing of their children. Because of the court successes, the LGBTQ caucus of California legislature just announced a bill that will try to circumvent these cases.”
Reasons to oppose:
It could negatively affect the child by potentially needing guidance from parents and mental health support to determine the root cause of gender incongruence.
It could harm parents by taking away their right under the Fourteenth Amendment to care for, guide, and make healthcare choices for their kids.
It could also cause issues for teachers, as it might force them to hide information they think is important for their students' well-being. Refer to Mirabelli v. Olson EUSD (2023), Case No. 3:23-cv-00768-BEN-WVG, dated September 14, 2023.
This bill may break the Federal law by going against FERPA, which gives parents the right to access their child's school records. Schools creating fake records for students changing gender could lose federal money under FERPA's rule that parents must be allowed to review their children's records.
This bill suggests parents can't be trusted, believing state or strangers can handle teen issues better.
Children should have privacy protected in line with the federal and state laws, but children do not have a right to privacy that transcends their parents’ established rights
How to take action from www.PERKADVOCACY.com
Fill out Action campaign https://p2a.co/J3MHw0d
Draft a simple Opposition Letter to submit to the Appropriations Committee via their Position Letter Portal TODAY. Email your letter to the Committee: Letters of support or opposition should be submitted to the Advocacy Portal by 3:00 p.m. seven calendar days prior to a scheduled hearing. Letters received after that deadline may not be reflected in the Committee analysis..
Letters from organizations must be on letterhead with signature and title of an official of the organization or designated representative.
Coalition letters must have logos, signatures, and titles for all organizations.
Letters of conditional support from organizations will not be listed on the analysis.
Letters from organizations must clearly indicate position (letters containing "concern" may not be listed).
Submit letters only once unless bill is subsequently amended causing uncertainty as to the organization's present position.
INDIVIDUALS:
After completing a one-time registration to obtain a username and password, log in to submit your position letter as a registered lobbyist, organization or individual seeking to communicate your views to the bill author’s staff as well as the committee that will be hearing the bill.
Select measure type, measure number and Session Type.
Click on the “Search” button.
Select the appropriate Committee.
Select Your Stance.
Input note message in the note box.
Complete the Captcha and select the “Submit” button.
Call the following Senate Appropriations Committee Members and urge them to vote “NO” on AB 1955:
Committee Members District Office & Contact Information
Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 7620
Sacramento, CA 95814-4900; (916) 651-4014Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 7640
Sacramento, CA 95814-4900; (916) 651-4040Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 7320
Sacramento, CA 95814-4900; (916) 651-4008Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 7250
Sacramento, CA 95814-4900; (916) 651-4013Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 7210
Sacramento, CA 95814-4900; (916) 651-4035Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 7120
Sacramento, CA 95814-4900; (916) 651-4032Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 7330
Sacramento, CA 95814-4900; (916) 651-4410Call your Senator to urge him / her to vote “NO” on AB1955, and encourage their colleagues in the committee to vote “NO” as well. We need to prep them for the floor vote if it passes committee and their feedback can influence the committee members’ in their votes.
RESOURCES (linked above but here, again, for ease of reference):
AB 1955 Language: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1955
Position Letter Portal: https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/
Senate Education Committee Members: https://sedn.senate.ca.gov
Find Your Senator: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
