Maryland’s Trans Shield Act goes into effect

MARYLAND – Maryland’s Trans Shield Act went into effect with the beginning of October.

House Bill 691 adds certain gender-affirming treatments to the state’s definition of legally protected health care. It protects residents, patients, and medical providers from the legal action of other states where similar treatments might be illegal.

Trans advocates say their legal battles are far from over, but this is a significant step in the short-term.

“We might have to go and revisit this at a later date. But right now, this is something that is going to protect a lot of individuals and medical providers in the near future,” said Christiana McBride, with Salisbury TransLiance.

Maryland is now the 12th state to enact a shielding law that covers gender-affirming care.