KING COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A judge has paused parts of a new state parental rights law that has been slammed by critics as a “forced outing” measure.

King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott paused portions of the law on Friday, June 21, while a lawsuit brought by civil liberties groups and others is pending. A provision of the law outlining how and when schools must respond to records requests from parents was placed on hold.

Another permitting a parent to access their student’s medical and mental health records has also been paused.

The full initiative was backed by Brian Heywood, a conservative megadonor. He has said the measure was not designed to give parents veto power over their child’s decision to access counseling or medical treatment, but just says they have a right to know about it.

Critics have countered that the measure could harm students seeking access to birth control, counseling related to their gender identity or sexual orientation, or support for sexual assault or domestic violence.

The law, known as Initiative 2081, went into effect on June 6.