Washington state Democrats have enacted a legislation exempting shelters from informing parents if a missing kid expresses a desire to undergo sex change therapy or have an abortion.
On Wednesday, the House voted 57–39 in favor of the proposal. It has already been approved by the state Senate, so it could become law with the signature of Democratic Governor Jay Inslee. A measure needs to be approved by the state Senate before it can be considered by the House.
When “a minor is seeking or receiving protected health care services,” such as “gender-affirming care” or “reproductive health care,” the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) must be informed instead of the minor’s parents. After a House transfer, it is up to the discretion of the DCYF to make an effort to reunite the kid with his or her biological family.
The legislation mandates the easing of access to temporary, sanctioned housing for children who require specific types of protected health care services.
Democratic representative and co-chair of a Seattle-area LGBTQ group Marko Liias spoke in favor of the measure he helped draft. In cases when transgender youth are not accepted at home, “this law ensures that they have safe options and access to safe, stable shelter,” as stated by Liias.
The measure was opposed by Republicans in the state legislature because they feared it would restrict fundamental liberties.
These “pre-political rights” have been repeatedly upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The guarantees of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause would be eroded if this proposal were to become law. The government shouldn’t meddle in when parents are taking reasonable precautions to keep their children safe. Republican Representative for Sultan, Travis Couture, made his position quite plain.
Republican Jim Walsh of Aberdeen criticized the legislation as a “attack on parents’ rights and families.”