The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed a bill that will turn the state into a "trans refuge." The rule will prevent parents from whom other states claim custody of their children for supporting and authorizing the sex change of minors from having to surrender the children. Critics charge that this legislation could result in parents who do not support the transition of their children being deprived of custody.
It is a beautiful day to protect the queer community.
LFG. pic.twitter.com/Pp2Q6pv62r
— Leigh Finke (@leighfinke) March 23, 2023
Minnesota, "beacon of hope for trans children"
The rule, approved with 68 votes in favor and 62 against, was introduced and defended by trans Democratic Congressman Leigh Finke. Following the vote, Finke noted that Minnesota will become "a beacon of hope for trans children" in the face of the "staggering rise of anti-transgender and anti-LGBTQIA2S+ legislation by extremist Republicans." "The passing of the Trans Refuge bill will send a strong message to the trans community that they are loved, supported, and protected here in our state," he said.
The AYES have it. pic.twitter.com/7DQ6iL1y0D
— Leigh Finke (@leighfinke) March 24, 2023
It will prevent subpoenas and arrests for sex change
The rule, which must be ratified in the Democratic-majority Senate, establishes that parents who receive a subpoena from another state will not have to respond or appear, without being held in contempt of court:
No subpoena shall be issued and no foreign subpoena shall be recognized in this state in a criminal or civil matter if the subpoena is related to a violation of another state's laws when the other state's laws are designed to interfere with an individual's right to receive gender-affirming health care. Failure to comply with a subpoena seeking information related to a person or entity allowing or assisting a child or an adult to receive gender-affirming health care when the information is being requested to enforce another state's laws that allow a civil or criminal action to be brought against a person for allowing or providing gender-affirming health care must not be the basis for contempt under section 588.01.
The new law also adds a clause whereby "no person shall be arrested if the accused stands charged in the courts of any other state for acts committed in this state or services received in this state involving gender-affirming health care as defined in section 543.23, paragraph (b)."
"Kidnapping Bill"
However, the Minnesota Family Council have charged hard against the rule, which they dubbed "the sequester bill." According to this group: "this dangerous bill will allow a state court to take custody of children if parents do not want their children to undergo harmful and life-changing gender transition or other 'gender-affirming' procedures."
BREAKING: The Kidnapping Bill (HF 146) passes the House Floor, 68-62. This dangerous bill will allow a court of the state to take custody of children if parents do not want their children to undergo harmful & life-changing gender transition or other “gender-affirming” procedures
— Minnesota Family Council (@MNFamilyCouncil) March 24, 2023
