Bill offering protections to transgender youth in Washington signed into law

Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5599 into law Tuesday, which removes barriers to safe shelter for youths that seek gender-affirming or reproductive health care.

The bill was sponsored by State Sen. Marko Liias (D), Sen. Claire Wilson (D), Sen. Manka Dhingra (D), Sen. Liz Lovelett (D), Sen. Joe Nguyen (D) and Sen. Emily Randall (D).

“Every child – including our trans youth – deserves to be safe at home. In a perfect world, that is the case, but unfortunately, that is not the reality,” Liias said. “This legislation affirms our commitment to ensuring children have a safe and stable place to go when they are not welcome at home.”

According to a media release from Sen. Liias, “Under current law, licensed shelters must notify parents if a child comes into their care, unless a compelling reason applies. This legislation allows licensed shelters to contact the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) in lieu of parents in certain additional instances, like when a young person is seeking reproductive health services or gender-affirming care.”

Liias said SB 5599 is needed as states across the country introduce and pass anti-LGBTQ legislation.

According to the ACLU, they are tracking 474 anti-LGBTQ bills across the country.

“Washington has long been a place where members of the LGBTQ+ community are welcome and embraced,” Liias said. “As other states across the country introduce and pass legislation to take their rights away, we here in Washington are sending a clear signal: we hear you, we see you and we love you.”