California poised to expand LGBTQ+ protections amid federal resistance
BY ORLY LYONNE
Governor Gavin Newsom is facing an October 12 deadline to act on a series of bills passed by the California Legislature that strengthen the state’s status as a transgender refuge and address critical issues facing the LGBTQ+ community, including suicide and homelessness.
The most prominent bills headed to his desk include:
LGBTQ+ Youth and Crisis Support
AB 727 (González): This bill, which Newsom has already pledged to sign, requires all public schools (grades 7-12), colleges, and universities to print The Trevor Project’s 24/7 suicide hotline (1-866-488-7386) on student ID cards. This legislation is a direct response to the high rates of suicidal ideation among LGBTQ youth, and its urgency was heightened after the Trump administration cut specialty LGBTQ crisis counselors from the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Transgender Refuge and Shield Laws
SB 497 (Wiener): This bill aims to bolster California’s existing transgender refuge status against federal and out-of-state actions. It would expand state shield laws to prohibit health care providers from complying with subpoenas for gender-affirming care records and would require warrants for law enforcement requests through the state’s health care database. Senator Wiener stated the bill is necessary to protect the trans community from the Trump administration’s “fascist takeover.”
AB 82 (Ward): This legislation protects individuals involved in providing gender-affirming care from harassment and violence. It would allow providers, employees, and volunteers facing threats to seek to keep their residential addresses out of public records. It also creates a crime for doxing these individuals and prevents certain trans patients’ medication data from being shared on the state’s controlled substance database.
Community Support and Welfare
AB 678 (Lee): This bill addresses LGBTQ+ homelessness by requiring the state’s Interagency Council on Homelessness to collaborate with community leaders. The goal is to deliver a plan by July 1, 2027, for providing inclusive and culturally competent services to LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness.
SB 590 (Durazo): This bill expands California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program. Beginning in July 2027, it would allow employees to receive up to eight weeks of wage replacement benefits when taking time off to care for a seriously ill chosen family member who is not a blood relative or legal partner.
