SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — Transgender foster children would be guaranteed access to health care specific to their unique needs under a bill announced Monday by San Diego Assemblyman Todd Gloria.
The Democrat’s bill would amend the list of foster youth rights to include “access to gender-affirming health care and gender-affirming behavioral health services,” such as counseling to cope with gender identity issues or gender confirmation surgery.
That list includes such freedoms as accessing the religious services of their choice, attending court hearings, having private space and being placed in the custody of people who have received training on providing adequate care to LGBTQ youth.
“This bill addresses a critical public health crisis in California: lack of access to medically necessary primary care for transgender and gender non-conforming youth in foster care,” said Dr. Johanna Olson Kennedy, medical director of the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “These youth need and deserve the same access to health care guaranteed to all youth in out-of-home care, and this legislation will promote the health and well-being of some of the state’s most vulnerable young people.”
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