Bill > SB1150

This bill relates to health care and provides comprehensive protections for gender-affirming health care services in Hawaii. The bill expands existing legal protections to include gender-affirming health care, which is defined as medically necessary health care that respects a patient's gender identity and may include interventions to suppress secondary sex characteristics, align physical appearance with gender identity, or alleviate gender dysphoria. Key provisions include prohibiting state agencies from providing information or using resources to support out-of-state investigations seeking to impose liability on individuals receiving or providing gender-affirming care, protecting medical professionals from disciplinary actions based on providing such services, and preventing courts from considering gender-affirming care as a negative factor in child custody determinations. The bill also amends multiple sections of Hawaii's legal code to ensure that gender-affirming health care services are treated similarly to reproductive health care services, with protections against prosecution or discrimination. These protections extend to various professional licensing boards, confidentiality provisions, and jurisdictional considerations, effectively creating a legal shield for individuals seeking or providing gender-affirming health care in Hawaii. The bill is set to take effect on December 31, 2050, signaling a long-term commitment to protecting gender-affirming health care rights.