New Federal Guidance Regarding Transgender Students Will Not Impact California Schools
February 2017
Number 9
Under new leadership following the 2016 presidential election, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (DOE) issued a joint "Dear Colleague" letter on February 22, 2017 withdrawing the Obama administration's May 2016 letter and guidance regarding transgender students and sex-based discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et. seq.) and Title IX's regulations. The prior letter and guidance, consistent with the Obama administration's enforcement of Title IX in school districts, provided that Title IX's protections extended to transgender students, irrespective of that student's sex assigned at birth, and included access to facilities like restrooms and locker rooms. (See 2016 Client News Brief No. 31 and July 25, 2016 article.)
The federal government's new Dear Colleague letter includes a twofold explanation of the reasons for the rescission of the prior letter and guidance: (1) the prior letter and guidance lacked extensive or sufficient legal analysis to support the extension of Title IX protections to include access to sex-segregated facilities for transgender students; and (2) the DOJ and DOE desire to provide greater discretion to individual states regarding the issue of facilities use by transgender students, given the legal uncertainty and the fact that the prior guidance resulted in litigation in several states. One case involving the now rescinded May 2016 letter and guidance is currently pending before the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has invited the parties in that case to submit letters addressing whether this new guidance impacts how the case should proceed.
Despite the withdrawal of the May 2016 Dear Colleague letter, the new federal guidance continues to emphasize a commitment to protect LGBT students from discrimination, bullying and harassment.
While the May 2016 federal letter and guidance are no longer in effect, California law, including Assembly Bill 1266 (Ed. Code, § 221.5(f)) and related non-discrimination provisions providing protections on the basis of gender identity (Ed. Code, §§ 220, 234.1, etc.), continues to control in the state. Likewise, the California Department of Education's guidance on transgender youth in schools continues to stand. (See 2016 Lozano Smith Client News Brief No 16 .) Specifically, state law requires California school districts and other local education agencies to ensure transgender students' rights consistent with, if not beyond, the previously issued and now rescinded federal letter and guidance.
If you have questions about the new Dear Colleague letter, its interaction with California law or state or federal law regarding transgender student rights in general, please contact an attorney at one of our nine offices located statewide. You can also visit our website, follow us on Facebook or Twitter or download our Client News Brief App.
Number 9
Under new leadership following the 2016 presidential election, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (DOE) issued a joint "Dear Colleague" letter on February 22, 2017 withdrawing the Obama administration's May 2016 letter and guidance regarding transgender students and sex-based discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et. seq.) and Title IX's regulations. The prior letter and guidance, consistent with the Obama administration's enforcement of Title IX in school districts, provided that Title IX's protections extended to transgender students, irrespective of that student's sex assigned at birth, and included access to facilities like restrooms and locker rooms. (See 2016 Client News Brief No. 31 and July 25, 2016 article.)
The federal government's new Dear Colleague letter includes a twofold explanation of the reasons for the rescission of the prior letter and guidance: (1) the prior letter and guidance lacked extensive or sufficient legal analysis to support the extension of Title IX protections to include access to sex-segregated facilities for transgender students; and (2) the DOJ and DOE desire to provide greater discretion to individual states regarding the issue of facilities use by transgender students, given the legal uncertainty and the fact that the prior guidance resulted in litigation in several states. One case involving the now rescinded May 2016 letter and guidance is currently pending before the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has invited the parties in that case to submit letters addressing whether this new guidance impacts how the case should proceed.
Despite the withdrawal of the May 2016 Dear Colleague letter, the new federal guidance continues to emphasize a commitment to protect LGBT students from discrimination, bullying and harassment.
While the May 2016 federal letter and guidance are no longer in effect, California law, including Assembly Bill 1266 (Ed. Code, § 221.5(f)) and related non-discrimination provisions providing protections on the basis of gender identity (Ed. Code, §§ 220, 234.1, etc.), continues to control in the state. Likewise, the California Department of Education's guidance on transgender youth in schools continues to stand. (See 2016 Lozano Smith Client News Brief No 16 .) Specifically, state law requires California school districts and other local education agencies to ensure transgender students' rights consistent with, if not beyond, the previously issued and now rescinded federal letter and guidance.
If you have questions about the new Dear Colleague letter, its interaction with California law or state or federal law regarding transgender student rights in general, please contact an attorney at one of our nine offices located statewide. You can also visit our website, follow us on Facebook or Twitter or download our Client News Brief App.
As the information contained herein is necessarily general, its application to a particular set of facts and circumstances may vary. For this reason, this News Brief does not constitute legal advice. We recommend that you consult with your counsel prior to acting on the information contained herein.
