New Jersey's Attorney General has filed lawsuits against three school districts in the state over their policies requiring parents to be notified if a student decides to change their gender identity at school.
NJ Attorney General Matt Platkin has filed complaints against the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District, the Marlboro Township Public Schools and the Middletown Township Public Schools, The Christian Post reports.
According to the lawsuits, Platkin says that the policy "unlawfully discriminates against students on the basis of gender identity and gender expression."
The lawsuit says that the school district policies are violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.
The current policy requires school districts to notify a child's parent or guardian if the child decides to change their gender identity.
In Marlboro, the process involves meeting with a school counselor before the child's possible gender identity decision is discussed with parents.
The amended policy directs school personnel to use the child's given name instead of the child's chosen name if the parents decide.
Students are only allowed access to their chosen identity's restroom and locker rooms if the principal and parents approve and develop a plan for use.
The Attorney General's Office said that the amendments to school district policies will subject trans-identified students to "the continuous threat of being 'outed' if they have not already made their gender identity or gender expression known to their parents or guardians."
The New Jersey Department of Education has said there is no "affirmative duty" for school district personnel to notify parents about a student's decision to change their gender identity.
Also, the state guidance requires school districts to "keep confidential a current, new, or prospective student's transgender status." It prohibits school officials from "disclosing information that may reveal a student's transgender status."
Across the country, many school districts have approved policies prohibiting staff from notifying parents if a student decides to change their gender identity.
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/TW Farlow
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
