Supreme Court Blocks California Policy Protecting Transgender Student Privacy

Ruling undermines state's law barring school districts from requiring teachers to 'out' trans students to parents

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a California policy that protected the privacy of transgender students in K-12 schools, siding with a group of parents near San Diego who argued the state's policy violated their religious freedom and due process rights. The ruling undermines California's 2024 Safety Act, which barred school districts from adopting 'forced outing' policies that required teachers to disclose a student's transgender status to their parents without the student's permission.

Why it matters

This ruling is seen as part of a broader effort by the Supreme Court and the current administration to roll back protections for transgender people. It raises concerns about the privacy and safety of transgender students, who already face higher rates of anxiety and depression than their peers. Advocates vow to continue fighting for the rights of transgender youth.

The details

The case was originally filed in 2023 by the Thomas More Society, a public interest law firm focused on religious issues. A federal district court judge initially ruled in favor of the parents, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals then paused the ruling while the state prepared an appeal. The parents asked the Supreme Court to lift the pause, which it did on Tuesday. The appeal is still pending before the Ninth Circuit.

  • The case was originally filed in 2023.
  • A federal district court judge initially ruled in favor of the parents.
  • The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals then paused the ruling while the state prepared an appeal.
  • The parents asked the Supreme Court to lift the pause, which it did on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
  • The appeal is still pending before the Ninth Circuit.

The players

Thomas More Society

A public interest law firm that focuses on religious issues and filed the original lawsuit against California's transgender student privacy policy.

Shannon Minter

Legal director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, which is based in Sacramento.

Paul Jonna

Special counsel at the Thomas More Society, who called the Supreme Court's ruling a 'watershed moment for parental rights in America'.

Sonja Shaw

President of the Chino Valley Unified school board, who described the Supreme Court's ruling as 'a massive victory' and said it affirmed that 'policies deceiving parents are wrong'.

Rob Bonta

California Attorney General, who acknowledged the ruling was a setback but said the state remains committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming school environment for all students.

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What they’re saying

“The court's ruling is shocking and alarming. It's part of a larger effort by this court and the administration to eliminate any protection for transgender people.”

— Shannon Minter, Legal director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights

“This is a watershed moment for parental rights in America. The Supreme Court has told California and every state in the nation in no uncertain terms: you cannot secretly transition a child behind a parent's back.”

— Paul Jonna, Special counsel at the Thomas More Society

“The Supreme Court has affirmed what we've always known to be true: policies deceiving parents are wrong, and they can not be allowed to stand.”

— Sonja Shaw, President of the Chino Valley Unified school board

What’s next

The appeal of the Supreme Court's ruling is still pending before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The takeaway

This ruling is seen as a significant setback for transgender rights in California, undermining the state's efforts to protect the privacy and safety of transgender students. Advocates vow to continue fighting for the rights of transgender youth, but the decision sends a chilling message and raises concerns about the broader erosion of protections for the transgender community.