SACRAMENTO -- Transgender students in public schools can participate in school activities and use school facilities that conform to their gender identity under a bill that passed the Senate Wednesday and now heads to the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown.
The bill, AB1266 by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, had the bare majority, passing 21-9 on a partisan vote with Democrats in support.
"There should be certainty that every kid has the chance to go to school and be treated equally and fairly," said state Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who presented the bill on the Senate floor. "We know that these particular kids suffer much abuse and bullying and denigration."
Backers of the bill have noted that current California law already prohibits schools from discriminating on the basis of gender identity, but they said many school districts in the state don't comply with that.
The Los Angeles and San Francisco school districts have had such policies in place for many years, ensuring access to restrooms, locker rooms or sports teams that align with the identity of transgender students.
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