The ACLU is threatening to sue a California school district after it changed a
policy to require teenagers get parental consent to leave campus for
confidential medical services.
The Vista Unified School District board voted unanimously Thursday to change its existing policy that allowed students to be excused for confidential appointments — including abortions — without notifying parents, according to the North County Times.
The ACLU of San Diego County and the National Center for Youth Law claim the new policy violates state law, KPBS reported.
According to lawyers, California allows young people to leave school without parental consent to deal with sexual, mental, substance abuse or reproductive health issues, the station reported.
But school trustees say that depends on how the law is interpreted.
Several parents addressed the board saying under no circumstances would they want their children leaving school without their knowledge, especially to seek medical procedures that could include an abortion, the Times reported.
---I would be very upset (to say the least) if my child left the school for a medical procedure I didn't know about. Even getting a tooth out.
Others expressed concern over students who face parental abuse.
"Often the kids would rather die than tell their parents," local pediatrician John Rott
said. "I think the effect on our most vulnerable children will be a negative one."
---No kidding!! What child wants to tell their parents they are pregnant under the best circumstances (ie..non married circumstances). Being embarassed or ashamed is far different than being abused. How many parents actually abuse their children once they find out they are pregnant? I'm sure it happens, but very rarely is my guess.
ACLU's David Blair Loy told KPBS that Vista is opening itself up to lawsuits and
the civil rights group will consider one if the district keeps the policy.
“Any public entity, school district, city government that is actively
breaking the law or enacts a policy that violates the law is open to litigation
to strike down the policy,” Blair said.
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