Minnesota House Committee passes ‘Trans Refuge’ bill

February 24, 2023

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House Judiciary and Civil Law committee is the first to approve a bill to prevent out-of-state laws from interfering in the practice of gender-affirming health care.

Democrat Rep.resentative Leigh Finke of St. Paul (pictured) said the goal is to protect trans kids and their families who do not live in Minnesota who are looking to access legal health care in the state of Minnesota.

Finke said South Dakota recently banned gender-affirming care.

Rep. Brian Johnson (R-Cambridge) said he’s concerned about parental custody issues.

“I think it’s going to create a lot of problems with what’s called the Interstate Compact we have with kids – dealing with runaways, warrants and a bunch of other issues,” Johnson said.

This legislation would make Minnesota into a ‘trans refuge’ state.