In a significant legal development, the City of Huntington Beach, California, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Assembly Bill 1955 (AB 1955), a state law that prohibits school districts from mandating parental notification when students express a desire to change their gender identity at school. The lawsuit, filed in September 2024, argues that AB 1955 infringes upon parental rights protected under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

AB 1955, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2024, aims to protect the privacy of students by preventing schools from disclosing a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation without their consent. Proponents of the law assert that it safeguards vulnerable students from potential harm, especially in unsupportive home environments.

However, Huntington Beach officials contend that the law undermines parents’ fundamental rights to be informed about significant aspects of their children’s lives. Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark stated, “This law compels educators to keep sensitive information from parents, which is an unconstitutional invasion of the parent/child relationship by the state.

The lawsuit, supported by the legal nonprofit America First Legal, names Governor Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond as defendants. It seeks to have AB 1955 declared unconstitutional and to prevent its enforcement.

This legal action is part of a broader pattern of disputes between Huntington Beach and the state government. The city has previously challenged state mandates on issues such as housing and immigration enforcement, positioning itself as a defender of local governance and parental rights.

As the case proceeds, it highlights the ongoing national debate over the balance between student privacy rights and parental involvement in education, particularly concerning sensitive topics like gender identity.