On May 22, 2023, ABC News reported that at least 18 states “have passed laws or policies that restrict gender-affirming care for people under the age of legal majority, which is the threshold for legal adulthood.” So-called “gender-affirming care” can best be defined as the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and/or surgical procedures to facilitate a person’s (futile) attempt to become a member of the opposite sex. This type of “care” can have truly disastrous consequences, and can also be irreversible. Given the fact that “gender-affirming care” has become available to impressionable young people in recent years, states’ efforts to protect minor patients from it are most welcome. Unfortunately, however, the state of New York is moving in the opposite direction.
Bill S.2475-B-Hoylman-Sigal/A.6046-B-Bronson seeks to prevent the state of New York from cooperating with other states in regard to arrests, subpoenas, and extraditions arising from the enforcement of out-of-state laws banning “gender-affirming care” for patients of any age. Furthermore, the bill would prevent New York medical personnel who provide “gender-affirming care” from suffering adverse action with regard to licensure or insurance. This legislation could encourage New York medical professionals to provide “gender-affirming care” to out-of-state patients—including minors—in violation of the laws of their respective states of residence.
Bill S.2475-B-Hoylman-Sigal/A.6046-B-Bronson has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and by the Assembly Codes Committee. As of June 1, 2023, it has been referred to the Senate Codes Committee and the Assembly Rules Committee. To help New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms prevent this bill from passing in 2023, please write to your elected officials today and urge them to oppose it.