30-Day Comment Period on Proposed Rollback of Protections Begins Today

Today, Senator Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) urged fellow Virginians to submit comments in response to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed guidelines that would roll back Virginia policies protecting transgendered students. 

Today is the beginning of a 30-day comment period on the proposed rules, which will be reviewed by the Virginia Department of Education. Virginians can submit their opinions here.

“I encourage all Virginians to stand up and make their voices heard during this comment period to ensure the safety of our transgender and nonbinary students,” said Senator McClellan. “Governor Youngkin’s proposed policy ignores Virginia law requiring such policies to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students, prevent bullying and harassment, and protect student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information.  These proposed guidelines will put transgender and nonbinary students in harm’s way.”

McClellan was a co-patron of Sen. Jennifer B. Boysko’s (D-Herndon) SB 161 requiring the Department of Education to develop model policies for public elementary and secondary school boards as standards for fair treatment of transgender students. She also chief co-patroned Sen. Adam Ebbin’s (D-Alexandria) Virginia Values Act, which made Virginia the first state in the South to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.