In a significant move to promote inclusivity and expand protections for the LGBTQ+ community, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 760 into law. This legislation mandates that all K-12 schools in the state provide gender-neutral bathrooms by July 2026. The law is part of a series of measures aimed at bolstering LGBTQ+ rights in California.
Governor Newsom expressed pride in California’s commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, stating, “California is proud to have some of the most robust laws in the nation when it comes to protecting and supporting our LGBTQ+ community.”
Under this new law, every school district, county office of education, and charter school must have at least one gender-neutral bathroom available on campus during school hours and events where students are present. The law specifies that these bathrooms should be open to all genders, easily accessible, and clearly marked with signage indicating their inclusive nature. Schools are also required to designate a staff member responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations.
The law does allow for temporary closures of gender-neutral bathrooms, but only under specific circumstances, such as documented student safety concerns or the need for repairs.
State Senator Josh Newman, the sponsor of the law, emphasized the importance of providing safe and inclusive restroom facilities for all students, stating that it is “only fair that everybody has access to a restroom without fear of outing, bullying, or stigmatization.” He hopes that California’s progressive legislation will serve as a model for other states in safeguarding children’s rights.
Tony Hoang, executive director of the LGBTQ civil rights group Equality California, praised Governor Newsom’s actions, stating that they send a “clear message” about California’s commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ rights and ensuring the safety of all community members.
This development comes against the backdrop of ongoing debates in school districts nationwide regarding LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation, including whether to provide classroom instruction on gender identity.
Bathroom access has been a contentious issue for years, with North Carolina’s 2016 law requiring individuals to use facilities corresponding to their birth certificates sparking widespread controversy and criticism. The law was later repealed. During the Obama administration, guidelines were issued to allow transgender students to use facilities aligned with their gender identity, but these protections were rescinded during the Trump administration in 2017.
While Governor Newsom signed a series of new LGBTQ+ protections into law, he also recently vetoed a bill that would have mandated California state judges to consider a parent’s affirmation of their child’s gender identity when granting custody and visitation rights. In his veto statement, Newsom cited existing requirements for courts to consider a child’s health, safety, and welfare, emphasizing the need for caution in prescriptive legislation that could set legal standards for the judicial branch.
Several other states have also addressed LGBTQ+ student rights and bathroom access policies, with ongoing legal battles and debates reflecting the complex and evolving landscape of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.
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