DOJ Gives Anne Arundel Schools 7 Days to Scrap Trans Secrecy Policy or Face Suit
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 3
DOJ Gives Anne Arundel Schools 7 Days to Scrap Trans Secrecy Policy or Face Suit
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 3
Summary
A July 29 Justice Department letter ordered Anne Arundel County Public Schools to rescind its transgender nondisclosure policy within 7 days or face litigation and possible federal funding consequences.
Harmeet Dhillon said the district unlawfully withheld gender-identity records from parents, disclosed information without consent and denied a hearing to correct records, arguing FERPA gives parents access to those files.
The Maryland district’s policy lets students use chosen names and pronouns without parental approval and treats gender-identity records as confidential, while allowing family involvement only unless a safety concern exists.
The threat expands a DOJ-Education Department crackdown already targeting Anne Arundel and Ann Arbor, testing whether federal privacy law requires schools to disclose student gender-transition information to parents.
LGBT advocates say such nondisclosure can protect students in abusive or non-affirming homes, while conservatives argue schools cannot conceal information about children from parents.