Educational equity: sex-segregated school and athletic programs and activities: use of facilities.

Assembly Member Essayli's proposed changes to California's Education Code would require participation in sex-segregated school programs and use of facilities to be based on students' biological sex rather than gender identity across K-12 and higher education institutions. The legislation defines sex according to reproductive anatomy and genetics determined at birth.

For K-12 schools, the bill would modify existing law that currently allows pupils to participate in sex-segregated activities and use facilities based on their gender identity. While maintaining provisions that prohibit discrimination in course enrollment and career counseling, the new requirements would apply to athletic teams, competitions, bathrooms, locker rooms, showers, and overnight accommodations. The bill includes specific definitions of "male" and "female" based on reproductive characteristics present at birth.

In higher education, the bill would establish parallel requirements for the University of California, California State University, California Community Colleges, and private institutions receiving state funding. The legislation's stated intent is to maintain fairness in athletics, protect equal opportunities, and address student privacy and safety. These provisions would override existing laws, including portions of the Equity in Higher Education Act, to require that participation in sex-segregated programs and access to facilities align with a student's legally defined sex rather than gender identity.

The measure contains no new appropriations or fiscal requirements, indicating institutions would implement changes within existing resources. While establishing clear definitions and compliance expectations, the bill does not specify implementation timelines or enforcement mechanisms beyond existing oversight structures.