New California law requiring gender-neutral bathrooms in all schools, starting in kindergarten

From July 1, 2026, all schools in the state of California, in the United States, will be required to have gender-neutral bathrooms. The law was signed over the weekend by the governor Gavin Newsom.

The so-called Senate Bill 760 It was part of a series of laws signed by Newsom this Saturday to expand protections for the community LGBTQ of the state of California, according to the CNN network.

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“California is proud to have some of the strongest laws in the country when it comes to protecting and supporting our community LGBTQ+”said the governor Newsom is a statement.

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks in Culver City on September 4, 2021. (EFE/EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT).

The new standard states that public and private schools, kindergarten to 12th gradeThey must have one bathroom for women, another for men and they must also provide one for those who identify themselves differently.

Those gender neutral bathrooms must meet the following requirements: have signage indicating that the bathroom is open to all genders, be available for use by students, be unlocked, free from obstructions, be easily accessible to any student, be available during and after school hours , between others .

Additionally, it requires schools to designate a staff member to serve as a point of contact to ensure the restroom complies with state law.

“It is necessary to provide and maintain at least one bathroom for all genders and for student use”says the law.

The standard also allows the temporary closure of any gender neutral bathroom only if there is a documented concern about the student’s safety, an immediate threat to the student’s safety, or if the bathroom needs to be repaired.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring gender-neutral bathrooms in all schools in the state. (Toby Talbot/AP).

According to the Los Angeles Times, the new law was born after in 2021 the school board of Chinese Valley restrict bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice to transgender students.

The sponsor of the law is the state senator Josh Newman. Speaking to CNN, he said it is “fair that everyone has access to a bathroom without fear of being discovered, intimidated or stigmatized.”

He added that his hope is that this law becomes a model for other states to help protect children.

While Tony Hoangexecutive director of Equality California, a civil rights group LGBTQsaid the governor’s action sends a “clear message” that California will protect the rights of the community LGBTQaccording to CNN.

“Hate attacks will not be tolerated and we will continue to protect and ensure the safety of all members of the LGBTQ+ community,” Hoang said.

“We are grateful to our legislative partners for championing these important projects and to the Governor Newsom for continuing to be such a strong ally to improve and protect the well-being of the LGBT+ community”, he concluded.

According to CNN, the issue of access to the bathroom has been at the center of the debate in U.S for years. In 2016, North Caroline enacted a law that requires people who use public bathrooms and locker rooms to do so in facilities that correspond to the gender listed on their birth certificates, if the facilities in question are multiple occupancy. The measure provoked criticism from companies and organizations and was later revoked.

At that time, CNN followed, the administration of the former president Back Obama issued guidance directing schools to allow students transgender students use facilities that correspond to your gender identity. But this guide was withdrawn in 2017 by the administration of donald trump.

This year, the Chino Valley Unified School Districtin San Bernardino County, became the first district to pass a controversial policy requiring schools to notify parents of students’ decisions regarding gender identitysuch as the use of preferred pronouns.

The district argued that it supported the rights of parents to participate in the care and education of their children.

But this month a judge suspended the application of the provision. San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Thomas S. Garza ruled after California Attorney General Rob Bontawill sue the Chino Valley Unified School District for adopting the aforementioned policy.

“The San Bernardino Superior Court’s decision rightfully upholds the state rights of our LGBTQ+ students and protects children from harm by immediately halting the board’s policy of forced departures.”Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

Beautiful argues that the policy will forcibly expel students transgender, violating your privacy rights and threatening your well-being. Chino Valley says the policy seeks to involve parents so they can provide the support their children need.

Sonja Shaw president of the education board Chino Valley Unified School Districtsaid she was disappointed with the decision, according to Telemundo 52.

Anthony De Marco, an attorney for Chino Valley Unified, argued that the policy would not affect students who have private conversations with teachers, but would involve parents in situations where students make more public decisions, such as changing their name or pronouns or using o bathrooms or joining sports teams of a different gender than indicated in the official documentation.

Source: Elcomercio