Concerning State Bill 5599

Dear Friends,

If you have not yet heard, there is a a concerning piece of legislation that is quickly making its way to approval in Washington State. 

Please join me in responding to State Bill 5599, a bill that seeks to take away an important right of parents. Please see details about SB 5599 further down in this email.

Keep in mind that SB 5599 has been written broadly. Although the speaking points for the bill say it is primarily seeks to get help for homeless children, it would also apply to children “who do not feel supported at home.” 

The call to action is quite time-sensitive. I would so appreciate it if you could call take a quick minute to call the governor's office today. 

CALL TO ACTION (as soon as possible!)

1. Call 360-902-4111 and follow prompts: 

   • Press 2

   • Your name (say it and spell it)

   • Your telephone number

   • Your city

2. Leave message: “Do not sign State Bill 5599 into law! Do not take parents’ rights away from raising our children."

Last, but not least, please join me as we PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, heavenly intervention is made and that this bill is not signed into law.
 
Blessings,

Darren

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Background to State Bill 5599

In January, SB 5599 was introduced in the State Legislature and now is waiting for Governor Inslee’s signature (which he has told the media he is prepared to sign).  
 
This bill would allow children (“transgender and at-risk youth seeking gender-affirming or reproductive care”) as young as thirteen to seek shelter at a government facility, without their parent’s knowledge or consent.

“This legislation allows licensed shelters to contact the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) in lieu of parents in certain additional instances, like when a young person is seeking reproductive health services or gender-affirming care.“ Source: Democrat Senator Marko Liias  

 
The following is a direct quote from the Senate Bill report for SB 5599:

Brief Summary of Bill

Provides that a shelter for runaway or homeless youth does not need to

contact the youth's parentsif there is a compelling reason not to, which

includes a youth seeking protected health services.

Allows host homes to house youth without parental permission if a youth

is seeking or receiving protected health care services.

Appropriates $7.5 million to the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention

and Protection for providing access to supportive care grants to

organizations in order to address the needs of youth and young adults

seeking protected health care services.

The important phrase is “….youth seeking protected health services”  which is further discussed in the paragraph following and taken directly from the State’s website. Source:  Legislature Wa Government website.
  

“The access to supportive care grants may include access to behavioral health services, peer navigation and support, employment support, education support, case management, advocacy outreach, housing and financial support or other navigation support to secure safe and stable housing, including the use of host homes. Protected health care services means gender-affirming treatment and reproductive health care services that are lawful in the state of Washington. Gender-affirming treatment means health services or products that support and affirm an individual's gender identity, including social, psychological, behavioral, and medical or surgical interventions. Gender-affirming care services include, but are not limited to, evaluation and treatments for gender dysphoria, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgical procedures. Reproductive health care services means all services, care, or products of a medical, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, mental health, behavioral health, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative, supportive, counseling, referral, prescribing, or dispensing nature relating to the human reproductive system including, but not limited to, all services, care, and products relating to pregnancy, assisted reproduction, contraception, miscarriage management, or the termination of a pregnancy, including self-managed terminations.” Source: Senate Bill Report