Maryland’s Trans Shield Act takes effect
Maryland has added gender-affirming care to its definition of legally protected health care, affirming its status as a sanctuary state for transgender people and healthcare providers.
House Bill 691, also known as the Trans Shield Act, went into effect on Oct. 1, shielding patients and medical providers from out-of-state prosecution and investigations.
It makes Maryland the 17th state to have shield law protections for gender-affirming health care, according to UCLA Law. A D.C.
shield law took effect in 2022. “This law empowers individuals to access healthcare without fear of repercussions, making gender-affirming healthcare accessible to all,” Lauren Pruitt, legal director of FreeState Justice, a Maryland LGBTQ advocacy group, said in a statement.
