Despite extensive pushback, protests and letter-writing campaigns, Washington Democratic Governor Jay Inslee signed the controversial Senate Bill 5599 into law on Tuesday.
Critics claim the bill encourages minors to run away from home to receive “gender-affirming” care and “maternity services” without parental consent and at taxpayer expense, specifically referring to sex changes and abortion.
Opponents argue that the legislation removes parents from health and mental health care decision-making processes. The bill permits shelters or host homes to provide housing for runaway minors without notifying their parents if they have a “compelling reason” to keep the information a secret.
