US Justice Department sues Maryland school district over transgender policies

The US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland, alleging the district violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The complaint centers on the district's transgender policies, specifically regarding the classification of a student's gender identity as confidential medical information that cannot be shared with parents.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that schools should not discuss preferred pronouns or gender identity with students without parental notification and consent. The school district, which serves over 84,000 students across 128 schools, expressed disagreement with the allegations, stating it stands by its compliance with federal law and finds the litigation “regrettable.”

This legal action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to investigate educational institutions and potentially freeze federal funding over transgender-related policies. The administration has also targeted schools regarding climate initiatives, diversity programs, and responses to pro-Palestinian protests.