Washington State Catholic Conference Signals “No Position” on Referendum to Overturn Bill Supporting Minors Seeking Abortions and “Gender Affirming Care” Without Parental Consent
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The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) has issued a “no position” position on a referendum to overturn SB 5599 in Washington State. The bill allows the state to harbor runaways, without telling parents where their child is, if the child is seeking an abortion or “gender-affirming care.”
SB 5599:
- Provides that a licensed shelter for runaway or homeless youth does not need to contact the youth’s parents if 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.
Under the bill, “Protected health care services means gender affirming treatment and reproductive health care services as defined in statute.
