1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I urge you to sign SB 418, SB 497, and SB 59 – three critical bills that would protect transgender and gender-diverse Californians during a time of increasing hostility toward their rights and safety. SB 418 ensures equal access to healthcare by requiring coverage of up to a 12-month supply of hormone therapy and codifying nondiscrimination protections in state law. This bill guarantees that Californians can access medically necessary care without facing discrimination based on their identity. With federal protections under attack, California must step in to ensure no one is denied the healthcare they need. SB 497 strengthens privacy protections for transgender individuals accessing healthcare. By requiring warrants for law enforcement access to the state's prescription drug database and prohibiting compliance with out-of-state subpoenas targeting gender-affirming care, this bill safeguards both patients and healthcare providers from harmful interference. It prevents California's medical systems from being weaponized by other states seeking to punish people for receiving legal healthcare. SB 59 protects privacy and safety by automatically sealing court records related to name and gender marker changes. This prevents the public exposure of deeply personal information that puts people at risk of harassment, discrimination, and violence. Currently, this information can be found through simple internet searches and has been used to target and harass individuals. This bill extends protections previously available only to minors to all adults and applies retroactively. California has always been a leader in protecting the rights and dignity of all residents. These bills represent a continuation of that commitment and provide essential protections for vulnerable community members facing unprecedented attacks. They ensure that California remains a safe place where people can access healthcare, maintain their privacy, and live authentically without fear. These are common-sense protections that will save lives and prevent harm. I respectfully ask that you sign these bills into law.