Washington Bill Allows Transgender Minors Gender-Affirming Procedures, Abortion Even Without Parents' Consent

Senate Bill 5599 Senate Bill 5489 Minors allowed to have gender-affirming procedures without parental consent Minors allowed to have abortion without parental consent Transgender minor's medical intervention abortion Washington State Bill Minors can stay in host homes or shelter during medical procedures protected health care services for minors reproductive health care services for minors sanctuary state safe shelter for minors unsupportive home environments evisceration of parental rights

By Jo Anne Hubert , Parent Herald Apr 20, 09:11 am

Photo: (Photo : Getty Images/ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS)

The House of Representatives just passed a Washington bill that gives the government full approval on transgender minors' medical intervention and even abortion, regardless of whether parents would consent to it.

A Washington State bill just stripped parents of their rights to their transgender children to intervene in their gender-affirming transition procedures when Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5599 Wednesday.

The said bill is an act to support youth and young adults who are "seeking protected health care services." It will allow the state the legal right to "hide runaway children from their parents" if the latter will not permit them to do any gender transition or abortion procedure. Much more, there is no need for any allegation of abuse in the household.

The bill does state that the "host homes" or "shelters" should notify parents about their runaway minors' location and whereabouts. Yet, it is not obligatory if there is a "compelling reason" not to do so. Compelling reasons refer to instances when parents or caregivers might subject the minor to neglect or abuse once notified, which The Heritage Foundation pointed out as the law's "real poison."

Washington as 'Sanctuary State' for Runaway Teens

It was further stated that Section Two of the bill described that another compelling reason not to inform parents of location or seek parental consent is when the minor desires to have "protected health care services."

"The definitions of 'protected health care services' are cross-referenced from another Senate bill, SB 5489 (titled the "Shield Law"), and include all 'gender-affirming treatments'-whether medical, surgical, social, behavioral-and all 'reproductive health care services'-including abortion, contraception, and/or 'assisted reproduction' (in vitro fertilization)," the news outlet reported.

Instead of contacting parents, the host home or shelter can contact the Washington State government instead, Fox News reported.

SB 5599, together with SB 5489, open the door for teens ages 13 to 17 to stay at shelters for an indefinite time while they seek their "protected health care services" without the knowledge and consent of their parents.

The newly signed bill also introduced Washington as a "sanctuary state" not only for its runaway teenagers but also for children from other states where gender-affirming medical interventions and reproductive health care services are unavailable.

An allocation of up to $7.5 million from Washington taxpayers' money will be provided to the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection so that the office can offer grants to institutions to handle the bill of the minors' gender transition and abortion procedures.

Public Clearly Opposes Bill

State senator Marko Liias, a Democrat, authored the bill, stating that it is a "necessary protection" for the youth who are running away from their "unsupportive" home environments and seeking "safe shelter."

"We know that young people experiencing homelessness are exposed to dangerous and harmful outcomes ... This legislation ensures that our trans youth have safe options and access to secure, stable shelter when they may not be welcome at home," Liias declared after the approval of the bill. All Democrats voted yes, while all Republicans gave the bill a big no.

The House of Foundation boldly called Senate Bill 5599 "a breathtaking evisceration of parental rights," and the public seems to agree. The news outlet stressed that the majority of the public is "overwhelmingly against" the bill.

Eighty percent of the online commentary on the new law showed to be on the opposing side. Back in February, during the Senate Human Services Committee hearing, over 4,700 public comments were received, and 98 percent of them were in opposition.