The Department of Justice has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) in Maryland, demanding the district cease its policy of withholding information about students' gender transitions from parents. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that the district's practice of concealing such information, except when legally mandated, violates federal law.
In a letter sent on July 29, Dhillon asserted that AACPS appears to have adopted a district-wide policy of nondisclosure that is not aligned with the exceptions outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The DOJ alleges that parents were denied access to their child's complete educational records, information was disclosed without parental consent, and parents were prevented from correcting records.
"Comply with the law or face us in court," Dhillon stated on X, signaling the Trump administration's continued efforts to challenge school policies that permit students to socially transition without parental knowledge. The administration is testing whether federal education privacy laws necessitate the disclosure of gender identity records.
Anne Arundel County faces potential litigation and the risk of losing federal funding if it does not reverse its policy within the seven-day timeframe. This action escalates a national debate over parental rights in education.
FERPA is intended to grant parents legal access to their children's educational records. The Trump administration contends that these records include information related to changes in gender identity. The DOJ has previously cited FERPA in attempts to challenge similar policies in Maine and California.
The Justice Department, in partnership with the Department of Education, announced a joint effort to address transgender nondisclosure policies in both Anne Arundel County and Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan. This collaboration could lead to the withholding of federal funds from districts that do not change their course.
Complaints from parents in Anne Arundel County prompted the investigation, with some alleging the district "was secretly helping their daughter pretend to be male at school" and refusing to provide information when confronted. A policy within AACPS allows students to use any name or pronoun, even if it differs from their sex, without parental approval. Staff are instructed to involve families in support plans unless there is a safety concern for the student.
Records concerning student gender identity are designated as confidential medical information within the district's policy and are to be disclosed only when legally required. Dhillon emphasized that FERPA is mandatory and that districts attempting to circumvent its requirements should anticipate federal intervention.
If the deadline is not met, the DOJ letter indicates the district could face legal action. The school districts in Anne Arundel and Ann Arbor did not immediately respond to requests for comment.