Washington Passes Transgender Intervention Bill Amid Rising Opposition

Washington passes a new transgender intervention bill amid rising tensions
The new bill, Senate Bill 5599, will provide host homes for runaway youth to go to without parental permission
The host homes will not be required to notify parents about their kids; whereabouts or whether or not they are getting medical interventions

Washington passed a transgender intervention bill in the House on Wednesday, which would prevent parents from intervening with their children's medical care under certain circumstances.

The bill's passing clears its path to be signed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee argued that the proposal, Senate Bill 5599, was related to supporting the country's youth. He added that it allows runaway youth to go to host homes without getting permission from their parents.

Washington Passes Transgender Intervention Bill

Additionally, the bill says that the host homes would not be required to notify the parents of the children regarding their kids' whereabouts or whether or not they are getting medical interventions. This is true if there is a significantly compelling reason not to, Inslee said, which would include kids seeking protective health services, as per Fox News.

The bill noted that "protected health care services" would include "gender-affirming care." For minors, this arbitrarily includes anything a doctor prescribes to treat dysphoria. It added that gender-affirming treatment could be prescribed to individuals considered two-spirit, transgender, nonbinary, or fall under other gender diversity.

It also states that instead of contacting parents, host homes can call the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Another reason that the bill used to defend not notifying parents about their kids staying in a host home was that the children could be subject to abuse or neglect.

However, opposition lawmakers argued that the bill was considered "child abuse." They said that a parent's job is to protect their child and claim that Senate Bill 5599 strips parents of that right and responsibility.

Providing Gender-Affirming Care

The president of the American Principles Project, Terry Schilling, said they knew they needed to find an issue that the candidates would be comfortable discussing. The issue over transgender rights has mobilized social conservatives more than same-sex marriage, according to the New York Times.

Since former United States President Donald Trump left the White House, at least 20 states, which are all led by Republican lawmakers, have implemented laws that reach beyond their initial arguments over access to bathrooms and have included medical treatments, sports, and education.

On the other hand, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced new restrictions on gender-affirming care for adults on top of minors. It was a move that is expected to be the first in the country and has prompted advocacy groups to prepare lawsuits.

The plans to restrict health care for transgender individuals were announced several weeks ago after protesters gathered outside the Capitol. They urged authorities to pass a law banning puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for children.

But despite those particular discussions centered around children, a spokeswoman for Bailey's office said that adults would be included in the solution, said the Associated Press.