Definition of current problem: Access to gender-affirming care for youth is banned in some states in the country and not others.
Initial Policy to address: SB-107 of California state senate which would protect minors receiving gender-affirming health care in California and their families from legal action taken by states where such care is either illegal or restricted.
Geographic focus: California as compared to more restrictive states. We will focus specifically on state-wide policies
The current law and practice in the US: As of this writing, sixteen other states within the country have signed into law or have proposed similar legislation, while several states have proposed or enacted bans on gender-affirming care.
Issues with current practice: There is no current codified standard of care for gender-affirming care for adolescents and several states have proposed or enacted complete bans on this life-saving measure for children, leaving children who live outside of states with protection for this care vulnerable and requiring them to have the means and ability to leave their home state to access care.
