Hochul Keeps Law Enforcement From Cooperating In ‘Transgender’ Investigations
Written by on July 6, 2023
On June 25, 2023, prior to the commencement of New York City’s ghastly LGBT Pride Parade, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the ‘Transgender’ Non-Cooperation Bill (Bill S.2475-B-Hoylman-Sigal/A.6046-B-Bronson) into law.
Known to some as the “Safe Haven Law,” this legislation blocks New York from cooperating with other states in regard to arrests, subpoenas, and extraditions arising from out-of-state laws banning so-called “gender-affirming care.” The new law also prevents the state from enforcing or cooperating with laws from other states that might punish out-of-state parents who obtain so-called “gender-affirming care” for their minor children in New York. Also, the law bars consideration of any out-of-state law that would authorize the removal of a child from a parent’s custody because that parent allowed the child to obtain “gender-affirming care.” Finally, the law prevents New York medical personnel who provide “gender-affirming care” from suffering adverse action with regard to licensure or insurance. This unnecessary and troubling measure is analogous to various New York laws that create special protections for medical personnel who provide abortion-related services to residents of other states.
The State Senate passed the ‘Transgender’ Non-Cooperation Law on June 6, 2023 by a margin of 44-18. Four days later, the Assembly voted, 97-47, to pass it. Gov. Hochul added an approval memo to the ‘Transgender’ Non-Cooperation Law; the memo indicates that the Governor and legislative leaders have agreed to pass some relatively minor amendments to the law at a later time.
In a press release, Gov. Hochul commented: “‘From Stonewall to Marriage Equality to GENDA, New Yorkers have been on the forefront of the fight for equal rights. Now, as other states target LGBTQ+ people with bigotry and fearmongering, New York is fighting back. These new laws will enshrine our state as a beacon of hope, a safe haven for trans youth and their families, and ensure we continue to lead the nation on LGBTQ+ rights.’”
“Our organization continues to be concerned by the state’s consistent attack on parental rights,” said Jason J. McGuire, executive director of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms. “In most instances, parents are best suited to make decisions about their child’s safety. For our state to offer cover to those circumventing other state laws designed to protect children is an outrage,” he concluded.