Citing 'Parental Choice,' Newsom Makes California a 'Sanctuary State' for Trans Medical Treatment

Written by Hudson Crozier

In a nutshell: Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 107, which turns California into a “sanctuary state” for youth to receive “gender-affirming health care.” The law will protect children and parents seeking this kind of medical care both in and out of state.

Why it’s happening: Republicans in multiple states have pushed back against gender transition procedures for minors and gender ideology in schools, often in the name of parental rights and protecting children. With this new legislation, Newsom flipped the rhetoric on its head, declaring, “Parents know what's best for their kids, and they should be able to make decisions around the health of their children without fear. We must take a stand for parental choice.”

How the bill will impact California kids: California courts now have greater jurisdiction over child custody disputes centered around whether a child receives gender transition procedures. This increases the likelihood that parents will lose custody for refusing to let their child be transitioned.

And kids in other states: If parents can’t transition their child in their state, they can now travel to California to have them transitioned while being protected from investigation by the other state. If the other state files an arrest warrant for them for giving the child the procedures, California law enforcement cannot enforce it and will not turn them in. If the other state orders California health care providers to disclose whether the child is receiving gender-affirming care, they cannot comply. The full impact of the law will be clearer when one of these cases occurs.