Court Freezes California Rules on Transgender Students

The Supreme Court on Monday temporarily blocked California’s restrictions on when schools can notify parents if a student identifies as transgender. In a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, the court allowed a lower-court ruling that favored parents—who argued that the state policy conflicts with their religious beliefs—to take effect while legal challenges continue. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had previously paused that district court decision.

The unsigned Supreme Court order focuses on parents’ claim that their First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion are being violated, according to NBC News. The majority suggested that the state rules likely infringe on parents’ authority to direct their children’s education, as reported by USA Today.

The court rejected a similar request from teachers who object to being required to use students’ preferred pronouns. In dissent, Justice Elena Kagan criticized the majority for deciding a significant constitutional question through the court’s emergency, or “shadow docket,” procedures without full briefing or oral arguments. She argued that this process relies on limited information and produces brief rulings that can effectively resolve major legal disputes.

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