A federal appeals court on Thursday blocked California from enforcing part of a 2024 law that limits when school employees can tell parents about a student's gender identity or expression at school.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said seven Huntington Beach-area parents who challenged the law are likely entitled to receive information from schools about their children's gender-identity issues while the case proceeds.

The law, signed by Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom in July 2024, bars school districts from requiring employees to disclose a student's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression without the student's consent.

A three-judge panel said a March U.S. Supreme Court order in a similar California case changed the legal landscape. In that case, involving a San Diego-area school policy, the high court said parents have a constitutional right "not to be shut out of participation in decisions regarding their children's mental health."

The 9th Circuit panel said the Huntington Beach-area parents are directly affected by the state law and may continue challenging it.

The ruling does not strike down the law statewide. It blocks enforcement against the seven parents while their lawsuit continues.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the order in a post on X.

"School officials under @CAgovernor have continuously boasted the facilitation of secret 'gender transitions.' With this decision, the Ninth Circuit reaffirmed parents' right to access their child's education records," she wrote.

"Children don't belong to the State — they belong to parents."

The Supreme Court has not issued a final ruling on whether schools must disclose a student's gender identity to parents.