AG Steve Marshall and State Education Superintendent Eric Mackey caution schools against implementing Biden administration Title IX changes

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and State Education Superintendent Eric Mackey are taking a stand against the Biden administration’s recent changes to Title IX, urging public schools in the state not to implement the new rules.

The U.S. Department of Education announced updates to the Title IX code in April, expanding protections to include gender identity and sexual orientation. However, Marshall is leading a lawsuit against the new rule, arguing that it exceeds the Education Department’s authority and could potentially violate existing state laws.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, Marshall and Mackey advised schools to refrain from implementing any provisions of the new rule, citing potential conflicts with Alabama state law. They emphasized that no public school district in the state should take steps to comply with the changes at this time.

The lawsuit against the Title IX changes has garnered support from other states like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, as well as organizations like the Independent Women’s Forum and Parents Defending Education.

As the litigation proceeds, Marshall and Mackey have promised to provide further guidance to schools before the new rule takes effect in August. The controversy surrounding the expansion of Title IX protections to include gender identity and sexual orientation continues to spark debate and legal challenges across the country.