The Liberty Justice Center has announced a notable legal development for parental rights. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has decided to overturn a prior court ruling, reinstating Aurora Regino’s case against the Chico Unified School District.
The case originated when Regino challenged a policy that allowed school staff to use her child's preferred name and pronouns without parental notification. Regino claimed this policy infringed upon her parental rights regarding her child’s care.
In response, the Liberty Justice Center, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, and Dr. Erica E. Anderson, contributed an amici brief urging the appellate court to reverse the lower court's dismissal ruling. Their joint efforts highlighted the significance of parental involvement in decisions affecting children.
The appellate court concluded that the initial dismissal was based on incorrect legal standards. It emphasized that parents possess a constitutional right to influence the care and upbringing of their children. The court further clarified that procedural protections extend to all liberty interests.
Emily Rae, Senior Counsel at Liberty Justice Center, stated, “We are pleased that the Ninth Circuit has allowed Regino’s lawsuit to continue and will continue to stand up for parents in California who have been the victims of terrible secrecy policies like the one in Chico.”
The case will now proceed in the lower court for further examination and a final judgment on Regino’s constitutional claim.
This case is part of the Liberty Justice Center’s broader actions to uphold parental rights across the country. It mirrors concerns from the center's recent complaint to the U.S. Department of Education, prompting Title IX investigations into certain school district policies in Illinois.
Moreover, the Liberty Justice Center continues to oppose California’s proposed AB 1955 legislation, which is perceived as a threat to parental rights by limiting access to key information regarding children's education.