Washington State is on the brink of an amended law that could potentially strip parents of their rights to stop a child from seeking a gender transition. Senate Bill 5599, titled “Supporting Youth and Young Adults Seeking Protected Health Care Services”, was passed by the Washington House in a 57-39 vote, and if signed by Democratic Governor Jay Inslee, would go into effect 90 days after the legislative session adjourns.
The bill covers “youth seeking protected health services”, which includes minors seeking gender procedures. Licensed shelters and homes would be allowed to house runaways without parental permission and without notifying parents about medical treatments, if “compelling” reasons exist to withhold information. Reasons listed in the bill include “gender-affirming services” and “reproductive health care services”.
Critics of the bill are quick to point out that it undermines parental rights. Washington State Senate Republican Leader John Braun believes the legislation would cause harm by driving a wedge between vulnerable children and their parents. Republican State Rep. Jim Walsh called the bill “legally, ethically and morally” wrong, and said thousands of residents have reached out to his office to express alarm.
Supporters of the bill, meanwhile, claim that it is necessary to protect transgender children who may not have supportive families. State Democratic Sen. Marko Liias, who sponsored the Senate bill, put out a statement affirming that trans youth are protected in Washington State by removing barriers to safe shelter.
Washington State Democrats passed SB 5599.
The state will be able to hide children from their parents & provide “gender affirming care” without their knowledge or consent.
If you are a parent you should be extremely concerned by this. pic.twitter.com/oyUL3ysJo1
— ???????? Serenity ???????? (@polishprincessh) April 15, 2023
The bill is now heading back to the Washington Senate to review amendments made in the House. It has the potential to further complicate the ever-growing culture wars. Whether the bill is signed into law or not, it has already sparked an intense debate over the role of the government in parental rights.
Washington State is now in the child gender transitioning business, otherwise known as state sanctioned kidnapping & child abuse
The Democrats in WA just passed a bill SB 5599 – If a child wants to change gender they can run away to a state run shelter and get gender transition. pic.twitter.com/Xp8BEkiU5q
— Real Truth Sniper⭐⭐⭐ (@_Truthsniper23) April 17, 2023
