July 8, 2025
Sacramento, CA – The Pacific Justice Institute- Center for Public Policy (PJI-CPP), a dedicated advocate for parental rights and religious liberty, announces its firm opposition to California’s Assembly Bill 727 (AB 727). While recent amendments to the bill have adjusted its scope, the legislation continues to impose requirements that undermine the constitutional protections of religious schools and the fundamental rights of parents.
As amended, AB 727 would mandate that all public schools grades 7 through college and certain private schools, include contact information of The Trevor Project — an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization with a specific ideological agenda — on student identification cards. Although the amendments provide limited exemptions for some faith-based schools, the bill still fails to fully respect the autonomy of religious institutions whose beliefs may conflict with the promoted advocacy group’s ideology. This requirement infringes upon the First Amendment’s guarantee of free exercise of religion and erodes the ability of parents to direct their children’s education in alignment with their faith and values.
“Even with its amendments, AB 727 remains a troubling overreach by the state into the sacred rights of religious schools and families,” said Brad Dacus, president and founder of PJI.
“Parents and faith-based institutions should not be compelled to endorse messages that contradict their convictions,” said Janice Lorrah, PJI Legislative Counsel. “We urge California lawmakers to reject this bill and uphold the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution.”
Recently law enforcement officials raised the alarm over the legislation noting that the online website connected to the Trevor Project, known as TrevorSpace, an unmonitored platform that encourages children as young as 13 to connect with other teens and young adults, exposes vulnerable individuals to potential predators.
In a recent opposition letter, PJI-CPP called on the members of the California Senate Education Committee to vote against the amended AB 727 on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at a crucial hearing on the bill. PJI-CPP encourages all Californians to contact their representatives to voice opposition to this legislation.
from the desk of
Brad Dacus
