Maryland’s Trans Shield Act takes effect

[Lori Dee]

Maryland's Trans Shield Act takes effect
Law guarantees protection against out-of-state prosecution
Link to Full Article
Washington Blade - Erkki Forster
October 21, 2024

Maryland has added gender-affirming care to its definition of legally protected health care, affirming its status as a sanctuary state for transgender people and healthcare providers.

House Bill 691, also known as the Trans Shield Act, went into effect on Oct. 1, shielding patients and medical providers from out-of-state prosecution and investigations. It makes Maryland the 17th state to have shield law protections for gender-affirming health care, according to UCLA Law.

"This law empowers individuals to access healthcare without fear of repercussions, making gender-affirming healthcare accessible to all," Lauren Pruitt, legal director of FreeState Justice, a Maryland LGBTQ advocacy group, said in a statement.

The Human Rights Campaign reports 26 states have passed bans on gender-affirming care, affecting 39.4 percent of trans youth living in the U.S. Six states classify providing certain types of gender-affirming care as a felony.

By adding gender-affirming care to the state's definition of legally protected health care, the law guarantees patients and providers protection against out-of-state subpoenas, warrants, civil liability, as well as extradition. It also protects health care providers from professional discipline, such as having their licenses revoked, for offering gender-affirming care.

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[Sephirah]

Maryland's Trans Shield Act takes effect
Law guarantees protection against out-of-state prosecution
Link to Full Article
Washington Blade - Erkki Forster
October 21, 2024

Maryland has added gender-affirming care to its definition of legally protected health care, affirming its status as a sanctuary state for transgender people and healthcare providers.

House Bill 691, also known as the Trans Shield Act, went into effect on Oct. 1, shielding patients and medical providers from out-of-state prosecution and investigations. It makes Maryland the 17th state to have shield law protections for gender-affirming health care, according to UCLA Law.

"This law empowers individuals to access healthcare without fear of repercussions, making gender-affirming healthcare accessible to all," Lauren Pruitt, legal director of FreeState Justice, a Maryland LGBTQ advocacy group, said in a statement.

The Human Rights Campaign reports 26 states have passed bans on gender-affirming care, affecting 39.4 percent of trans youth living in the U.S. Six states classify providing certain types of gender-affirming care as a felony.

By adding gender-affirming care to the state's definition of legally protected health care, the law guarantees patients and providers protection against out-of-state subpoenas, warrants, civil liability, as well as extradition. It also protects health care providers from professional discipline, such as having their licenses revoked, for offering gender-affirming care.

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While it's really sad that people think gender affirming care needs some kind of marvel superhero type shield against the Thanos of the moron masses... this is quite awesome. Good on these folks. You just need to put this kind of stuff down where the heat makes folks' heads cook from the giant beards, and you're golden.

It's always telling to me how it's the northern states which are always the most sensible. I blame the heat. The closer you get to the equator, the more bonkers you get.

[Lori Dee]

By adding gender-affirming care to the state's definition of legally protected health care, the law guarantees patients and providers protection against out-of-state subpoenas, warrants, civil liability, as well as extradition. It also protects health care providers from professional discipline, such as having their licenses revoked, for offering gender-affirming care.

Sadly, it does not protect the loss of federal funding to hospitals and clinics that provide such care. President-elect Trump has vowed to cut all federal funding for Gender Affirming Care, including the military, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Source: https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/president-trumps-plan-to-protect-children-from-left-wing-gender-insanity

[Sephirah]

Sadly, it does not protect the loss of federal funding to hospitals and clinics that provide such care. President-elect Trump has vowed to cut all federal funding for Gender Affirming Care, including the military, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Source: https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/president-trumps-plan-to-protect-children-from-left-wing-gender-insanity

Of course he has.

That whole article made me sick in my mouth to read. It's not left or right wing to allow people to choose based on how they feel. One step forwards, ten steps back.

[Robbyv213]

That's awesome. Starting to wish I had never moved out of Maryland. But then again I guess everything happens for a reason and if I didn't I would not have met and married my wife.

[Moonflower]

Yay Maryland!

And yay Delaware for electing the first openly-trans member of Congress after they elected her to their state Senate 4 years ago!

And yay for the Attorneys General and Governors in red and blue states who are teaming up to resist federal efforts to overthrow state protections for human rights!

So much darkness now, but lets focus on the lights that pierce it!