Images courtesy of TVW
A bill to block investigations and prosecutions from states where abortion or gender-affirming care is illegal has passed the state legislature.
Not only would out-of-state prosecutions be stymied by House Bill 1469’s prohibitions on complying with investigations of minors who come to Washington for gender-affirming care or anyone who comes for abortion services from states where they’re illegal, but the so-called “Shield Law” would give people the right to sue for interference with that care.
Julie Barrett with the Conservative Ladies of Washington told lawmakers it would allow kids to come here without parental consent. “It will be very easy for vulnerable children to be targeted and trafficked into Washington for irreversible surgery and medication,” Barrett says, “As lawmakers, you have a duty to protect our children from harm.”
Danni Askini, director of the Gender Justice League, says gender-affirming care is often life-saving. Askini says, “This bill must pass to ensure that people can receive care safely and providers in Washington State are protected for providing this care.”
This bill has been part of the Governor’s legislative agenda since before the session started, so he’s expected to sign it.