California Senate Bill 107
California Senate Bill 107 is a 2022 law in the state of California that protects access to gender-affirming medical care for minors and prevents the enforcement of out-of-state laws regarding such care. It was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 29, 2022 and took effect on January 1, 2023.
The bill was introduced by state senator Scott Wiener, who is openly gay. The passage of Senate Bill 107 turned California into the first trans sanctuary state in the United States due its protections from out-of-state laws restricting or punishing the provision of gender-affirming care for minors.
Provisions
Senate Bill 107 prohibits California officials and courts from releasing any information relating to the provision of minors' gender-affirming care, even under subpoena; as well as the enforcement of out-of-state court orders or laws preventing such care, such as provisions outlawing traveling across state lines to receive medical care. Children cannot be removed from the custody of their parents if their child receives gender-affirming care.
Reactions
Support
Planned Parenthood of California supported SB-107, along with other similar laws in consideration at the time. Governor Newsom stated after his signing of SB-107 that parents know best about their children and their medical decisions.
Opposition
SB-107 was opposed by the Southern Baptist Convention, referring to it as "immoral." The Alliance Defending Freedom also opposes SB-107, stating it violates parental rights and the U.S. Constitution. Troy Nehls, a Republican congressman from Texas, and Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, claimed that SB-107 allows minors to receive sex reassignment surgery in California without parental consent, though their claims would later be debunked.