Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order June 6th declaring the state a sanctuary state for transgender people fleeing other states. The order requires the state to protect all transgender individuals who are seeking gender-affirming care from other states. It prohibits the use of any resources - incarceration facilities, equipment, workforce time, ink to paper - in enforcing subpoenas targeting transgender individuals and their healthcare providers from outside Maryland. Maryland is the 12th state to implement such a policy, a measure that is gaining importance as more states opposed to transgender rights aim to limit or criminalize out-of-state care. Owing to recent healthcare protections for transgender people on Medicaid in the state and this new policy, Maryland has become one of the safest states for transgender individuals in the entire U.S.

The order outlines several measures Maryland will implement to ensure safety for transgender individuals. It mandates all state agencies to protect those within Maryland who provide, receive or assist in travel for gender-affirming care. The order prohibits agencies from sharing medical records and shields all care providers and recipients from being compelled to do so. Additionally, it includes a provision that the governor will not extradite any transgender individuals from the state to others for obtaining gender-affirming care for themselves or transgender youth in Maryland. Finally, it prevents doctors from losing their licenses in Maryland for providing gender-affirming care.

...These bills have grown increasingly necessary due to states taking actions that target transgender individuals seeking care outside their borders. West Virginia, a neighboring state, is among several that have banned gender-affirming care for most transgender youth. States such as Indiana, Mississippi and Iowa have prohibitions against "aiding and abetting" gender-affirming care for some individuals. Ohio is currently considering a similar bill that could criminalize assistance in gender-affirming care for some providers.