By Ariel Gans

WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO

SB 107 would protect from prosecution patients who travel to California for what supporters call gender-affirming care and doctors who provide that care. If signed, the bill would make California a refuge for minors seeking gender-affirming care by prohibiting the removal of a child from their parent or guardian because that parent allowed their child to receive gender-affirming care. It also bans California from complying with out-of-state subpoenas seeking medical information related to gender-affirming care.

WHO SUPPORTS IT

The bill’s supporters list is largely populated by civil rights groups and city governments. They and bill author Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, say that California has a responsibility to provide a safe environment for transgender youth and their families to get gender-affirming care given a recent rise in legislation in other states that would restrict access. They also argue that access to this care lowers suicide rates among transgender youth.

WHO IS OPPOSED

The opposition is led by the California Family Council, which argues that gender-affirming care is not an agreed-upon treatment for transgender children. The council also says that children often misunderstand their gender identity and are likely to regret their decision to get irreversible treatments such as hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgery.

WHY IT MATTERS

According to a survey by The Trevor Project, affirming gender identity among transgender and nonbinary youth is consistently associated with lower rates of attempted suicide. The bill responds to a recent national wave of legislation that aims to restrict access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth.

GOVERNOR’S CALL ✅

Newsom signed the bill Sept. 29. “States across the country are passing laws to demonize the transgender community, especially transgender youth and their parents,” he said in a signing statement. “With the signing of this bill, California will ensure these kids and their families can seek and obtain the medical and mental health care they need.”