SACRAMENTO BEE – Gov. Gavin Newsom late Thursday signed a law that aspires to make California a safe haven for families seeking gender-affirming care for their transgender children.
“In California we believe in equality and acceptance,” Newsom said in a signing message. “We believe that no one should be prosecuted or persecuted for getting the care they need — including gender-affirming care.”
“While other states attack transgender youth and their families, CA affirms them … ”
Senate Bill 107 bars doctors from releasing medical information to authorities in other states investigating families of transgender children for taking them to providers for gender-affirming treatment.
It also prevents California law enforcement agencies from arresting people for violating other state laws regarding gender-affirming care.
The new law gives California courts the ability to assert custody hearing jurisdiction when a transgender child is in the state to receive health care. Get unlimited digital access Subscribe now for just $2 for 2 months.
Equality California and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California sponsored the bill in response to anti-LGBTQ laws in states like Texas, where families have faced child welfare investigations for helping their transgender children access gender-affirming care.
