A bill under consideration in Washington State would allow licensed youth shelters to withhold information from parents about whether a child in their care is undergoing a gender transition, allowing the shelters to instead contact the state, international media reported.
The bill, titled “Supporting youth and young adults seeking protected health care services,” introduced by six Democrats, passed the state House last week, Catholic News Agency reported.
The bill would allow licensed overnight youth shelters housing a minor to inform only the state’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and not a child’s parents if the child is “seeking or receiving protected health care services.”
The bill defines protected services as including “evaluation and treatments for gender dysphoria, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgical procedures.”
“This legislation ensures that our trans youth have safe options and access to secure, stable shelter when they may not be welcome at home,” said sponsor state Sen Marko Liias, D-Everett, in an April 13 press release.
The bill now returns to the state Senate, where it must be voted on before going to the desk of Democrat Gov. Jay Inslee.
Under current Washington state law, shelters must inform a minor’s parents that they are housing a child, unless there are “compelling reasons” not to do so, such as circumstances that indicate the child may be abused or neglected by their parents. In such a case, they must still inform the DCYF.
