The New Jersey Attorney General filed a civil right complaint against the Hanover Township Board of Education on Wednesday. It challenged a policy which advises teachers to inform parents if a child changes gender at school.

Tuesday, the Hanover Township Board of Education approved “Parental Notice of Material Situations”, which requires that educators “say something” to parents and school administrators if “they see something that may negatively affect a child’s social/emotional wellbeing.”

Matthew Platkin, New Jersey’s Attorney General, filed a civil right complaint with the Division on Civil Rights of the state alleging that the policy of the school board discriminates against the students on the basis sexual orientation and gender identification.

The complaint said that “Policy 8463, [Parental Notice of Material Circumstances Policy], will irreparably damage transgender students and other LGBTQ+2 by requiring parents to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent.” “‘Outing” LGBTQ+ students without their consent poses serious mental and physical health risks. It also threatens to harm students in other ways, such as increasing the risk of suicide. In fact, LGBTQ+ students have committed suicide in New Jersey and other places after being “outed.”

According to a press release, Platkin and Division on Civil Rights have filed an emergency motion requesting a temporary pause in the policy during the litigation.

According to New Jersey guidelines, the school district is required to accept a change in gender identity by a student. The guidance stated that the state does not require parental consent for a child to change gender.

The state’s guidance advised educators to “have an open but confidential discussion” with students to determine their preferences on issues such as the chosen name, the chosen pronouns to be used and parent communications.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday, the Hanover Board of Education stated that its new policy did not discriminate or target students based on gender identity or sexual orientation. In addition, the policy requires that educators notify parents about any other concerns that could harm a child’s mental and physical well-being. This includes substance abuse, smoking, and drinking alcohol.

The Hanover Township Board of Education stated in a press release that it believes parents should be informed of any material issues that may impact their children, so they can provide the best care and support to their children. The Board will defend this policy, which is based on common sense and protects parents’ rights while ensuring the safety of schoolchildren.

In many school districts, parents are not informed of their children’s gender transitions. Some school systems, such as Los Angeles Unified Schools District, Chicago Public Schools and New York Public Schools, requires educators keep the change in pronouns secret. However, they do require parents’ permission to purchase over-the counter medication.