Trump Administration Investigates California and Maine Over Gender Identity Policies

Federal probes target state laws on student privacy and transgender rights, threatening billions in education funding.

The U.S. Department of Education has launched investigations into California and Maine, alleging violations of the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA).
California's Assembly Bill 1955, which prevents schools from disclosing students' gender identity to parents without consent, is a central focus of the federal probe.
Maine faces scrutiny over policies allowing the creation of 'gender plans' for transgender students that may not be accessible to parents, potentially violating FERPA.
Both states risk losing substantial federal education funding, with California alone potentially forfeiting up to $7.9 billion if found noncompliant.
State leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Maine Governor Janet Mills, have vowed to defend their policies in court, emphasizing student privacy and transgender protections.