AG B​onta filed a lawsuit and a request for a temporary restraining order challenging the U.S. Department of Education (U.S. ED)’s findings that the California Department of Education (CDE) “facilitated and promoted the adoption of policies and practices that violate” the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The Trump administration demanded that CDE take “corrective actions” not required by FERPA, including permitting California local educational agencies (LEAs) to adopt parental notification policies that may forcibly “out” transgender students. In the lawsuit, AG Bonta argues that California is in substantial compliance with FERPA, and that U.S. ED’s findings are an unconstitutional attempt to impose new conditions on $4.9 billion in federal education funding.

“This is a flagrant attempt by the U.S. Department of Education to intimidate the California Department of Education and California’s local education agencies under the guise of enforcing FERPA. […] We will not stand by as U.S. ED uses baseless claims to attack crucial education funding. We will continue to fight to protect California’s schools and students from unfair attacks and work to ensure a discrimination-free educational environment for all students.” – AG Bonta