Senate Bill 5599 allows shelters to keep runaway juveniles from their parents to get an abortion and/or gender surgeries
TJ Martinell
The Center Square Washington
The Washington House has passed a bill allowing shelters to keep runaway juveniles from their parents to get an abortion and/or gender surgeries that include removing a girl’s breasts or uterus.
Although framed by proponents as a bill to protect youth suffering from abuse, SB 5599 only stipulates that the minors be “seeking or receiving protected health care services” for a homeless shelter or “host home” to avoid informing the parents or legal guardians, as otherwise required by state law.
Currently, if a runaway minor goes to a youth shelter, the organization must inform the parents or legal guardians within 24-72 hours. However, state law provides “compelling reasons” for them not to do so, including the belief that notifying the parents or legal guardians would subject the child to abuse or neglect.
The bill adds youth seeking abortions or irreversible gender surgeries to the list of compelling reasons while allocating $7.5 million to the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs for “supportive care grants to organizations to address the needs of youth and young adults seeking protected health care services.” The bill does not state when or if the parents ever need to be notified of their child’s whereabouts.
As defined by existing state law, “gender affirming care” includes but is not limited to the following procedures:
- Breast augmentation
- Chemical peel
- Dermabrasion
- Facial feminization surgeries
- Face lift
- Facial masculinization surgeries
- Forehead brow lift
- Genital modification
- Hair line modification
- Hair removal by electrolysis or laser
- Hysterectomy
- Lip enhancement
- Reduction thyroid chondroplasty (chondrolaryngoplasty or tracheal shave)
- Rhinoplasty
- Skin resurfacing
- Liposuction
- Mastectomy
- Penile implant
- Voice modification
Combined with HB 1469, which has passed in both chambers, the two policies would allow youth from other states to run away from home, go to a Washington youth shelter seeking an abortion or gender surgery, and the parents would not have to be notified. Also, none of the medical records related to any of those services could be obtained.
“I am speaking to youth across our nation, across our state, and our communities.” Rep. Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island. “I see you. I affirm you, that I hear you, that I love you. With this passage of the bill, we are saying Washington state does, too.”
One amendment added on the House floor requires OHY to collect data on the number of unsheltered homeless youth in the state, while another requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to offer a runaway youth referrals to behavioral health services and services to “resolve the conflict and accomplish a reunification of the family.”
Existing family reunification services include:
- Short-term family counseling
- Crisis Residential Center services
- Referrals for substance abuse treatment and/or counseling
- Referrals for mental health services
- Short-term placement
Although SB 5599 does not address abuse or neglect, supporters speaking on the House floor before the April 12 vote conflated parents not accepting a child’s claim to be the opposite gender as akin to an “unsafe” home environment.
“Kids’ lives are literally at stake,” Rep. Nicole Macri, D-Seattle, told colleagues. “This bill is intended to keep them safe.”
The legislators rejected a proposed amendment from Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, that would have added language in the bill stating that “the lack of adequate affirmation of a child does not constitute negligent treatment or maltreatment in and of itself.”
“The clarify of our [existing] law…on what abuse and neglect is, is a helpful beacon in this confusion and misunderstanding,” Walsh said. “The existing statute that we have that defines abuse and neglect should be the standard for the state stepping in and interfering with family dynamics. If a family situation doesn’t meet the existing standard of abuse or neglect, then the state has no righteous role.”
Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, R-Republic, said, “if I’m to understand, the underlying policy is because those parents have kicked their child out of the home and they need a safe shelter. If there were signs of abuse, the state would be involved. That’s not what’s being said. You are saying that the state of Washington…can take this child and not contact the parents, with no signs of abuse, with no pending case of abuse, and the foster system [is] not involved. That is shocking.”
Reacting to the bill’s passage, podcaster and independent journalist and podcaster Brandi Kruse tweeted “not wanting your child to get gender transition care is now just as bad as physical abuse in Washington state and means the government can hide your kid from you. If not affirming your minor’s desired gender is abuse, what’s next? Removal from the home?”
SB 5599 will be sent back to the Senate for concurrence.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
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Wow. After nearly 30 years as a liberal voting almost exclusively the Democrat party line, I’ll be voting for Republican moving forward.
I didn’t see any age in the article. Is there a limit on the age of the kids?
No. They can be taken at any age.
Reading further into the bill it does give some ages. Although it really does not address what the youngest could be. To me they have so many RCW numbers to go to that it would take a month of Sundays to read everything. To me the wording is somewhat confusing. We need the bills to be worded in lay mans terms.
i think this bill should be thrown out not passed it says enough to tell you your child does not belong in their custody can’t you see that with haveing to say what you said do you have children /
I think I can sum it up! The government loves you. The government knows what’s best for you. We are better for you than your own parents. To show our compassion, we will do a life changing surgery before the adolescent can even figure things out for themselves. We are overpopulated as it is.
No.
Opening line: changing to Republican after years of Democrat support and your heart into them….strong. but No reasoning was given for your change? Your sincerity I am questioning and many others are now too, considering what I written here…understand? 🤔9
THANK YOU,,, SIDONY I AGREE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TOTALLY LOST THERE MIND
Opening line: changing to Reoublican after years of Demicrat support and your heart into them….strong. but No reasoning was given for your change. Your sincerity I am questioning and many others are now considering what I wrote of…understand? 🤔
If you told me one person in this country agreed with this I’d laugh at you. But there’s apparently a large creepy faction in the US
I call it the woke perversion. I never would have thought in America we would have these types of discussion..Can’t believe it is even on our radar.!! This is something rulers not leadership would do.
That this is passing should be shocking to everyone. None of the listed medical ‘procedures’ are life saving or even needed. What about the terrified parent who has no idea where their child is, much less that said child is being allowed to make a physically altering decision that mentally.. they may not be adult enough to fully comprehend? This just unfathomable. That Democrat ‘leaders’ are supporting this is unbelievable. This madness needs to stop.
Rising suicide rates actually show that these treatments are life saving. When supported and given access to care suicide rates decline. It would be great if parents could love, accept, not judge (as Jesus teaches) as well as listen to the opinions of every physical and mental health professional organization (from the American Medical Association to the American Psychological Association) but, unfortunately, too many parents are not able to do that. Also, sadly, a lot of people probably see suicide rates in this population as a benefit and not the tragedy that it is. I would encourage you to listen to what the people affected by this have to say. If a child doesn’t feel safe with an adult it is not the child ‘s fault.
It actually isn’t life saving. People still commit suicide after gender reaffirming surgery. The fact you support this makes you one disgusting person. People like Ted Bundy and Gary Ridgeway would be applaud you. All you are is a pedophile apologist like the governor of Washington, Jay Inslee!
In one of the studies I read written by Ryan T. Anderson, Ph.D. A study in Sweden after 30 years showed, after 10 to 15 years after reassignment that suicide rate rose 20 times that of comparable peers.
It also said in the article that follow up studies were inconclusive weather it was good or bad. You just need to read all the studies you can. Another site is a Government site.( nim.nih.gov ) read the whole article, close to the end it gives ( statistics ) The title is PMC Suicidality Disparities between Transgender and Cisgender Adolescents.
And the part about Jesus? Jesus loved the sinner (Not the sin) He died for our sins IF we repent of our sins and believe he is our Savior.
i agree w/ K REN
Okay genius, why don’t YOU listen to the American Psychology Association when they cite the DSM and call this crap what it is? GENDER DYSPHORIA and it is a MENTAL DISORDER you putz!
I agree, plus it has been mentally proven the brain isn’t even fully formed until after your 25, as well as the change in hormones make teens in a crazy like state. Nobody should be approved for gender surgeries or hormone changing drugs until their brain is fully formed after 25yrs old, especially no child. The tax payers also shouldn’t be paying the bills for all these cosmetic surgeries.i mean there’s lots of straight people who want cosmetic surgeries like lipo breast implants face lifts ect but our insurance or state doesn’t pay for it
What these children need is AFFIRMATION they are absolutely one hundred percent created in God’s image.. which means they are PERFECT as they are. They need to get off social media, get away from people like you and be loved on without the interference of the government. This is not judging.. this is stating that a parent who loves their child would be in a worst case nightmare situation should they not be notified their child is OK should they go missing.
I was born&live in WA for 54yrs. Luckily I grew up in the 70s&80s because I was a tomboy until I was 16. If I grew up now I probably would have been brainwashed thinking I was a boy in a girl’s body and underwent drugs&surgeries to be a boy and as I grew up would have killed myself for destroying my female body
Exactly! If nothing else the children that would be gay or lesbian are now confused and their genitals are being mutilated.
My son committed suicide. 2 weeks before his 31st birthday. I had never thought my son would do that. I pray no parent ever has to go through that pain.
This is delusional
You sound like the brainwashing has worked! I hope you find reality again soon!
Disgusting!
That’s why you need to homeschool your children!
I don’t know why you all are getting so worked up by this. If a juvenile’s parent is going to abuse them if they get sent home, it’s reasonable to not send them home to an abusive parent…but, and I think we’d all agree on this point, the law is written that there needs to be a “compelling reason” to not notify the parents. This just expands the list of compelling reasons.
If a kid is pregnant, and runs away believing their dad is going to beat them, we should protect them.
You’re part of the problem. Get your kids out of these government indoctrination schools before it’s too late!
And you honestly think a compelling reason is because I am 12 and want a masectomy?? What goes on inside your head??
Good lord, read BETWEEN the lines. They are clouding the bill with REAL medical issues to cover up the heinous things they want to “protect.”
Are you truly that blind or are you just refusing to see?
Because you are too stupid to understand there is an agenda they don’t want anyone to know.
This is complete and TOTAL BULLS—-!!! Who is funding this?? Why did it pass? Who did we elect that sponsored or supported this bill?!! Last time I checked the state of WA has NOT given birth! Who do they think they are trying to take parental rights from people?! Abuse is one thing, but this crosses SO many lines.
Denying affirming care is psychological abuse. Jesus teaches us to love, accept, and not judge others. That applies to children as well.
No it’s not! It’s a huge decision to permanently alter a child who is vulnerable! I take it you are some far white broad who has no kids and has tons of cats and looks the other way when people molest and rape children.
Get some help. You are mentally Ill. I hope god has mercy on your soul, because what you just said is gonna condemn you to hell.
Quit lying.
As usual the voters didn’t get a vote, even if we did Governor Inslee just makes it a law anyway because he thinks he’s the king of WA. We have tried to get him out of office numerous times. He kept emergency power since the beginning of covid until last Nov, he was the last Governor to release his emergency powers and he passed many laws and taxes without any vote of the people. The WA representatives still meet behind closed doors not allowing anyone in the hearings like with this bill and the media keeps everything quiet to protect them. All the democrats approved the bills and the Republicans voted against it. Unfortunately their are more democrats in office. I’m an independent i vote for the person not the party but after all the BS in the last few years im voting against all these democrats in the next election. “Lets Go Brandon” “Let’s Go Inslee”
This is horrendous and those advocating for it should be imprisoned forever. Absolutely disgusting! We’re in a spiritual battle. They want most of us dead or mutilated so we can’t procreate. Sure wish people would wake up! The covid “vaccine” bioweapon hasn’t even woken most people up. What will it take!?
THANK YOU MIMI YOU ARE SO RIGHT EVERY DAY I SAY SAVE THE CHILDREN
Am I reading this correctly? If my kid (<18) wanted gender transition surgery, & I refused, the government could hide my own kid somewhere?
Yes and Inslee is a disgusting pig for supporting this!
Olympia needs a political cleansing.
Not exactly…if you were going to beat your kid because they wanted gender transition surgery and they ran away it means they wouldn’t have to notify you were your kid went.
You arent going to beat your kid are you?
HAS ANYONE NOTICED THAT MOST OF THE CHILDREN BORN TODAY ARE WEIGHING IN WHEN BORN AT A HEAVER WEIGHT THAN WHEN SAY THE 60 AND 70 WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS THE GOVERMENT IS FEEDING THE MOMS HARMONES WHEN YOU ARE PREG.. YOU ARE PRESCRIBED PILLS TO HELP TO HAVE A HEALTHY BABY WHEN THE BABY IS BORN WITH LONG HAIR AND USUALLY SMARTER THAN THE CHILDREN IN FORMER YEARS AND AS THEY START GROWING THEY WANT TO DO THING THEIR WAY AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THIS RIGHT UP FRONT YOU HAVE TO TALK TO THM EVERY SINGLE DAY AND PROMOTE WHAT YOU WANT // HORMONES IN THEIR FOOD IS WHAT IS CAUSEING THIS // MUCH TOO YOUNG TO BE EATING HORMONES
You read and interpreted that absolutely correctly. So your 12 year says I am a boy and I need a masectomy. You as a wise parent say no. Child runs away to a shelter here in WA, tells them- and that is a compelling reason not to call you. And they schedule the surgery. Thats about it.
You read it right not only that they will lie and take the children away.
This bill is completely beyond my ability to comprehend the justification behind such legislation. Giving the government the control to make these types of laws is totally ignoring the rights and responsibilities of the parents.
And Bill up there is completely advocating for it!
We are talking about youths, which leads me to think of minors under the age of 18. None of this life altering operations should be available to a minor/youth without parent concentration. Who is legally responsible for providing and paying for these serives? I would even question MOTIVE for aminor. To proceed with altering their body with a surgical procedure not related to a life threatening, physical condition. Sensuality his not an elective procedure that should be offered to the youth, only to well educated, council ed and established adult.
This sounds like a terrible idea and a huge overreach of power. Government rarely makes things better..They cost us more money and confuse the issues more then anything. This sounds like a horrible idea and I can not imagine anyone thinking this is a good idea. My biggest question is why is the State so interested in this Bill. This is like a form of human trafficking to me. And why is it so important that parents have no rights once a kid is taken in. That is just nuts..!!…Our leadership is beyond horrible when I hear things like this..This is like another perversion from the woke..!! I’ll bet my bottom dollar most of America didn’t sign up for this. Inslee, you have to be out of your mind if you sign this bill. How many more rights being taken away from citizens until your happy. How much oppression is enough..?
Governor Inslee was the last Governor in the country to release his emergency power due to covid and he was the first to do it. He didn’t release his King of WA power until last Nov. He passed many laws and taxes without the vote of the people even things WA voters voted down 10 times. The representatives still meet behind closed doors and don’t allow anyone in, to meet in secret about what they are doing without voters consent. All the democrats approved this the Republicans rejected it. The WA citizens will have to pay for it. Wa media protects all these representatives and never talk about it. Thank God I grew up when I did when I was a tomboy until I was 16 because if I grew up now I would have been brainwashed thinking I was a boy in a girl body and made decisions that I would have killed myself about when I got older. They are trying to sterilize people to keep population numbers down, that’s why they push these surgeries, hormones, and abortions
The BLOOD of our CHILDREN will be on WA State Reps & Senators! This is 1 of the most DIABOLICAL ACTS YOU HAVE ALL DONE AGAINST HUMANITY! GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOULS!
Freaking insanity. These legislators are pure evil. Period.
They are working for the Devil..What else could it be..It is hard to imagine that in America this evil is happening..It is hard to imagine people don’t rally to remove this level of Evil!!!
This is pretty strange behavior. In reality, this is just more virtue signaling that cannot play out in the real world. Seriously, surgeons have to eat too. Current estimates are $140,450 to transition from male to female, and $124,400 to transition from female to male.
What’s so strange is that our history and founding principles – the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Rights of Man – were so reliant on Natural Law, yet the modern left abhors natural law. It’s strange to watch an entire segment of society fight thousands of years of unchanging moral principles regarded as a basis for all human conduct and observable laws rooted in natural phenomena. I’d wish them luck, but it won’t help.
That’s some kinda bull—- glad I don’t live n that state or i’d b moving out real fast
Children from any state can travel there they wrote it in the bill.
As a mother of 7 children. I believe that parents should always know where their child is. I have a child that is transgender and if a parent loves their child, it should not bother them to help their child get the help they need. I watched my child struggle with this situation, and it was hard on the child. As far as Washington there is no reason for this crap they are trying to do. Children and Family services are downright dirty. You cannot trust that system. My opinion I am allowed to voice my thoughts
This is absolutley horrendous! This helps noone but the sick people who have infiltrated this planet. This is why the ozone layer is being removed. The virus’ that dont belong here.You have got to go!! Your pure poison to this planet and her inhabitants
SICK SICK SICK
I am just happy that seeing the responses on here, I realize not everyone is crazy!
How awfully lazy. You’ve given a list of medical procedures from a completely different law and you’re pretending that any minor in a shelter can seek and obtain any of the procedures listed. This is, of course, a lie.
The way I understand it the specific procedures or ages are not spelled out. It could possibly apply to even worse procedures. So, William, if you have more specific details on what is included in this bill, please post it for the rest of us to see.
When is the worlds increasing depravity going to pull the trigger on God’s judgment?
It is an example of how evil people manipulate the English language to obtain what they believe is correct. The ambiguity in the Bill is exhausting and is framed to meet whatever THEY want it to in a given circumstance. It is a huge example of government overreach and interference in the lives of citizens.
In Sec 1, the bill states that “barriers to accessing shelter can place a chilling effect on exiting unsheltered homelessness and therefore create additional risk and dangers for youth.
Youth seeking certain medical services are especially at risk and vulnerable.
Therefore, the legislature intends to remove barriers to accessing temporary, licensed shelter accommodations for youth seeking certain protected health care services.
Is this to say that “seeking certain medical services” places those particular youth at greater risk than others?
In Sec 2. of the bill it states, “(d) “Protected health care services” means gender affirming treatment as defined in RCW 74.09.675 and reproductive health care services as defined in RCW..”
Why is there a need for re-naming “gender affirming treatment” to “Protected health care services”?
Also, why is the term “affirming” used at all in this overarching debate? Is it appropriate or in the minor’s best interest, to AFFIRM gender modification at all? Even after the minor reaches majority?
A decision of this nature should be made by the individual contemplating the gender modification without any outside influence from anyone except parents.
There should be absolutely no AFFIRMING or REFUTING of either position regards Gender Modification provided to the person in question.
It is obvious that many medical personnel have a vested interest interest in gender modification, from the financial implications, if nothing else. And the educational personnel that become involved in these situations do not perceive the risk that they take in, even if subconsciously, attempting to “help” a student take action on a decision that the student has made, for which the student, given their age and lack of knowledge and understanding, is specifically unqualified to make.
Any and all others, to include doctors, nurses, other medical personnel, shelters, any type of home or halfway house, hospitals, etc. should ONLY provide factual, printed, video, or audio information about how gender modification is accomplished, and what the ramifications of the gender modification are, to include infertility, ongoing medical problems resulting from surgeries, the historical percentages of people who undergo gender modification who are content that they underwent the procedure, as opposed to the percentage who are not content with the decisions that they made earlier in life.