PPM Applauds MGA, Governor Moore for Enacting Shield Protections for Gender-Affirming Care in Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD—Planned Parenthood of Maryland (PPM)  applauds the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) and Governor Wes Moore for enacting SB119 to update the definition of “legally protected health care” in Maryland to include gender-affirming care. The law will extend shield protections for gender-affirming treatment in Maryland to patients, providers, and their support networks.

“Transgender people are under attack in this country. This year alone, more than 500 anti-trans bills were under consideration in legislatures across the United States, including in Maryland. By defining gender-affirming treatment as legally protected health care, Gov. Moore and the MGA have sent a clear message that bigotry and fear-mongering will not dictate the health care we provide in Maryland,” said Karen J. Nelson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Maryland.

Building on legislation passed in 2023 that provided shield protections for legal abortion care in Maryland, SB 119 protects patients and their health information from out-of-state investigations into gender-affirming care provided locally. It also prohibits health occupation boards from disciplining a licensed or certified individual over out-of-state complaints for gender-affirming care provided in Maryland.

PPM provides gender-affirming health care services for individuals aged 16 and older, including gender-affirming hormone therapy; resources and referrals for transgender patients requiring primary care, mental health services, and other services; and sensitive sexual and reproductive health care and preventive screenings for transgender patients.

“The shielding protections secured through SB 119 are essential to ensuring that PPM and all local providers can meet increasing demand for gender-affirming care, which already far outstrips capacity. PPM has never and will never capitulate to anti-science politicians. We will continue offering our transgender patients the holistic care they need, including gender-affirming hormone therapy, preventive screenings, and resources and referrals,” Nelson said.

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About Planned Parenthood of Maryland 

Planned Parenthood of Maryland (PPM) is a not-for-profit family planning agency that provides all Marylanders with education, training, and access to high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, birth control, STI testing and treatment, and gender-affirming care. PPM serves tens of thousands of patients each year at seven locations throughout Maryland and through its telehealth services.

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