Parental rights are under attack in California, but AB 281, introduced by Assembly Republican Minority Leader James Gallagher, is a critical step toward restoring transparency in education. This bill, set for its first committee hearing on March 12 in the Assembly Education Committee, ensures that parents can inspect and copy comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education materials, be informed about guest speakers, and receive clear notifications regarding their right to opt their children out of these lessons.
For years, concerned parents across California have technically had access to the materials their children are being taught in school, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like human sexuality. But time and again, schools have made it difficult—if not impossible—for parents to review curricula, often requiring in-person visits to school district offices during inconvenient hours or withholding some materials altogether. AB 281 corrects this injustice by guaranteeing parents the right to review and obtain non-copyrighted educational materials, ensuring that they are full partners in their children’s education.
Why AB 281 Matters
Under the California Healthy Youth Act, students in grades 7-12 are required to receive comprehensive sexual health education, with optional instruction allowed for younger students. Yet, despite this mandate, parents frequently face roadblocks when they seek to understand what their children are being taught. Transparency has been alarmingly lacking, raising concerns about the ideological bias present in many of these programs.
AB 281 brings much-needed accountability by requiring:
- Parental Access: Parents and guardians must be able to inspect and copy educational materials used in sexual health and HIV prevention instruction.
- Transparency in Guest Speakers: Schools must disclose the names, training, and affiliations of any outside consultants or speakers brought in to teach these lessons.
- Clear Notifications & Opt-Outs: Parents must be clearly informed of the curriculum and given a straightforward process for opting their children out of instruction they find inappropriate.
California Family Council, Voices Support
California Family Council (CFC) stands firmly in support of AB 281. Greg Burt, Vice President of CFC, issued the following statement:
“For too long, California schools have operated in the shadows, keeping parents in the dark about what their children are being taught regarding sexuality. AB 281 restores parents to their rightful place as the primary educators of their children. Schools should be partnering with parents, not working against them. No school should ever hide or obscure curriculum from the very people entrusted with raising these children. This bill is a commonsense reform that upholds parental rights and ensures that parents are fully informed about their children’s education.”
A Growing Movement for Parental Rights
Across California and the nation, parents are rising up against overreach in education, demanding more transparency and a greater say in what their children are taught. From controversial sex-ed programs to radical gender ideology infiltrating classrooms, families are rejecting the notion that schools can impose values on students without parental knowledge or consent. AB 281 is a crucial piece of legislation that ensures parents are not excluded from these critical conversations.
Next Steps
With the bill’s first committee hearing scheduled for March 12, CFC urges all concerned parents, faith leaders, and community members to contact members of the Assembly Education Committee and voice their support for AB 281. Now is the time to stand up for parental rights and demand that California schools respect the role of parents in their children’s lives.
For more information on the upcoming hearing and how to submit a letter of support visit: https://aedn.assembly.ca.gov/
