Elected officials in New York are weighing new legislation in the state Senate that would seek to make the state a safe haven for transgender youth by protecting access to gender-affirming care.

The bill would ensure children could not be taken from the custody of parents who allow their children to pursue gender-affirming care. 

It would prohibit prohibit law enforcement agencies from cooperating with or providing information to any individual or out-of-state service regarding gender-affirming care provided to a patient.

Finally, the bill also would protect the health information of those receiving gender-affirming care and the physicians who provide it.

The bill was introduced in response to other states that have moved to restrict or prohibit that care for children.

The chief sponsor of the bill, Manhattan state Senator Brad Holyman, appeared on “Mornings on 1” on National Coming Out Day to discuss the legislation. 

According to Holyman, New York has long led the way in the fight for LGBTQ rights. 

“New York is a beacon for civil rights and civil liberties across this country and, I’d argue, the entire world,” Holyman said. “We’re taking a stand here today in New York to say transgender children, folks who a non-binary and their families, we have your back. New York welcomes you for this type of medical procedure and we will not cooperate with any other states that are waging a war against you and your families.”

Holyman added that New York should consider creating a fund for those who cannot afford their gender-affirming care, though he pointed to the work national organizations are doing to help as successful.

The number of teenagers and young adults in the United States who identify as transgender has doubled in the past five years, according to a study the UCLA School of Law's Williams published this summer.

The study found that 1.4% of 13- to 17-year-olds and 1.3% of 18- to 24-year-olds identify as transgender; five years ago, both of those numbers stood at 0.7%.

Holyman is expected to attend a rally later today to raise awareness of the bill he’s sponsoring, as well as celebrate National Coming Out Day.