Minnesota House Passes Multiple Bills to Support Transgender Community

The Minnesota House passed a bill that would make Minnesota a "trans refuge state," providing stronger, more permanent protections for trans people, families, and care providers from legal repercussions for traveling to Minnesota for gender-affirming care. The bill will now be heard in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. The chief author of the House bill is Democratic Rep. Leigh Finke, the state's first openly transgender legislator. The bill covers much of the same ground as an executive order signed by Gov. Tim Walz two weeks ago, but supporters say a statute would provide stronger protections.