The Rocklin Unified School District has engaged the Liberty Justice Center to defend its parental notification policy following a decision by the Public Employees Relations Board (PERB). On March 5, the school district's board voted 4-1 in favor of retaining the legal services of the Liberty Justice Center for an appeal.
The policy in question, amended on September 6, 2023, requires that parents be informed if their child requests identification as a gender different from their biological sex, uses a name or pronouns not aligned with their biological sex, or seeks access to facilities and programs segregated by sex that do not match their biological sex.
In response to these amendments, PERB’s Office of General Counsel filed a complaint on October 11, 2023, representing the Rocklin Teachers Professional Association union. The complaint aimed to have the district revoke these regulations. A PERB Administrative Law Judge sided with the union, prompting an appeal from the school district. However, the PERB Board upheld the judge's ruling on January 28 and instructed the district to rescind its regulations.
On February 27, Rocklin Unified School District took further action by appealing PERB’s decision to the California Third District Court of Appeals. Subsequently, they enlisted the Liberty Justice Center on March 5 to continue defending their policy in court.
Emily Rae, Senior Counsel at Liberty Justice Center, expressed support for this initiative: “We are proud to once again take a stand for California families by defending the Rocklin Unified School District’s parental notification policy, at no cost to the District or to taxpayers.”
The school district board also emphasized its commitment: “We remain committed to ensuring clarity and fairness in our policies,” stating their intention is "to balance our legal obligations with our responsibility to students and families."