The information below is from the California Judicial Branch:
California Laws and Policies Protecting LGBTQ Youth from Discrimination
Civil Rights Act of 2007-AB 14
LGBT Californians receive protections from discrimination in state-funded programs
and activities.
Nondiscrimination in State Programs and Activities-SB 1441
LGBT Californians protected from discrimination in state-operated and funded services,
activities and programs.
Juvenile Justice Safety and Protection Act-SB 518
Protects LGBT youth against discrimination and harassment in the state's juvenile
justice facilities.
Omnibus Hate Crimes Act-SB 1234
Makes the state definition of a hate crime consistent throughout law to protect all
Californians.
Sexual Orientation Change Efforts SB 1172
Prohibits mental health professionals from using "conversion therapy" to attempt to
change a minor client's sexual orientation.
Providing Safe, Supportive Homes for LGBT Youth AB 1856
Requires foster care administrators, group home staff and foster parents to complete
training on LGBT cultural competency, sensitivity and best practices with a goal of
improving care and outcomes for LGBT youth in foster care.
California Foster Care Nondiscrimination Act-AB 458
All foster children in California have the right to fair and equal access to all available
child welfare services, placements, care, treatment, and benefits, and to not be subjected
to discrimination or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation
or gender identity.
All persons engaged in providing care and services to foster children shall have fair
and equal access to all available programs, benefits, services, and licensing processes,
and shall not be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of their clients
or their own, actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
County child welfare departments, group home facilities, and foster family agencies
have a legal responsibility to provide care, placement, and services to foster children,
family members, foster parents, and service providers without discriminating on the
basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
School Success and Opportunity Act (AB 1266)
Protects the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming students to participate
in sex-segregated programs and activities that are aligned with their gender identity.
This right includes participation on sports teams and in physical education classes.
It also protects the rights of youth to use facilities (restrooms and locker rooms)
in alignment with their gender identity.
California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act - AB 537
AB 537, the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, changed
California's Education Code by adding actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender
identity to the existing nondiscrimination policy. State law says that '"gender' means
sex, and includes a person's gender identity and gender related appearance and behavior
whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth."
The nondiscrimination policy also prohibits harassment and discrimination on the basis
of sex, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color,
or mental or physical disability. AB 537 protects students and school employees against
discrimination and harassment at all California public schools and any school receiving
state funding except religious schools.
Personal Rights-California Code 22 CCR 80072
Youth shall have personal rights that Include being free to attend religious services
or activities of their choice and have visits from the spiritual advisor of their
choice. Attendance at religious services shall be on a completely voluntary basis.
