ACLJ Calls Opinion by CA Atty General Requiring Schools to Keep Student Medical Information From Parents "Outrageous" and "Dangerous"
December 3, 2004(Washington, DC) – The American Center for Law and Justice, specializing in constitutional law, said today that an opinion issued by the California Attorney General requiring schools not to tell parents when their child is excused from school for medical appointments – including abortions – is not only wrong but outrageous and dangerous.
“This legal opinion does not protect students’ privacy rights – it violates the rights of parents,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. “The Supreme Court has long recognized that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing of their children – including their education, well-being, and safety. Students do not become wards of the state simply by attending public school, which after all, is paid for with tax dollars from their parents. To keep this medical information from parents is not only wrong, but outrageous and dangerous. This is another example of the pro-abortion lobby imposing its twisted policies on taxpayers through the school system. Congress is already considering federal legislation that would require schools to communicate with parents on these issues. We will work for passage of that legislation when the new Congressional session gets underway.”