Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, New Jersey Attorney General Mathew J. Platkin, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle A. Henry have led a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing a multistate amicus brief in the Western District of Louisiana. This brief supports the U.S. Department of Education’s 2024 Title IX Final Rule amidst several lawsuits filed by Republican state attorneys general and groups seeking to challenge the rule's enhanced protections.

The final rule aims to restore strong protections against sexual harassment and assault while reinforcing critical safeguards for LGBTQ+ students. This announcement follows the California Department of Justice's motion to dismiss its lawsuit against the Trump administration's Title IX Rule, which had weakened prohibitions against sex-based discrimination, in light of the Biden administration’s new rule.

“Title IX has been vital to providing safe and welcoming schools for all students since its enactment in 1972, and the Biden administration’s final rule enhances safeguards against discrimination and protections for all students,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s brief is a testament to our commitment to ensure an equal education free from discrimination. Conservative attacks on policies that protect students across the nation will not stand. I will continue to use all of my resources to fight for these important protections for all students.”

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 mandates that students receive an educational environment free from sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence. Following the Biden administration’s issuance of the final rule, several conservative attorneys general moved quickly to file lawsuits challenging it and sought to prevent it from taking effect on August 1, 2024.

In today's brief, the coalition argues that protecting students from sex-based discrimination significantly improves economic, psychological, health, employment, and educational outcomes without imposing significant costs on schools or compromising student privacy or safety.

Joining Attorney General Bonta in filing the amicus brief are the attorneys general of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

A copy of the amicus brief is available here.