NW Riverside News

Assemblyman Bill Essayli issued a statement on July 15, 2024, condemning Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of AB 1955. The bill, according to Essayli, codifies the government's authority to withhold information from parents regarding their children's health and welfare at school.

"Today, Governor Gavin Newsom defied parents’ constitutional and God-given right to raise their children by signing AB 1955 which codifies the government’s authority to keep secrets from parents," said Essayli. "AB 1955 endangers children by excluding parents from important matters impacting their child’s health and welfare at school. Governor Newsom signing AB 1955 is both immoral and unconstitutional and we will challenge it in court to stop the government from keeping secrets from parents."

Essayli highlighted ongoing concerns about parental rights within the California Legislature. He noted his authorship of AB 1314, aimed at ensuring parents are informed if their child requests a gender change on official school records. However, legislative Democrats declined to hear AB 1314, and Attorney General Rob Bonta has taken legal action against school districts statewide for similar issues.