Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and State School Superintendent Eric Mackey have issued an advisory to public school districts across Alabama. This follows the state's decision to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over its new Title IX rule.
The statement explains that "the State of Alabama filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s recently announced rule on Title IX." Title IX, originally passed by Congress in 1972, is designed to prohibit sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs or activities. The newly proposed rule aims to broaden the definition of "sex" to encompass sexual orientation and gender identity.
Marshall and Mackey caution that adhering to this new rule could potentially conflict with existing state laws. They advise that "no public school district in the State of Alabama should take any step to implement the new Title IX rule at this time." Further instructions are expected as the legal process continues and before the rule's planned implementation date on August 1, 2024.
For more information or press inquiries, contact Amanda Priest at (334) 322-5694 or William Califf at (334) 604-3230.