New additions to the travel restrictions list come amid an ongoing wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation sweeping across the country
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced today that California will restrict state-funded travel to Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, and Utah as a result of recently enacted anti-LGBTQ + legislation in each province. These new additions to the state-funded list of California travel restrictions come in the midst of an ongoing wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation sweeping across the country, including attacks on transgender youth’s ability to play sports and access health care critical. The restrictions announced today are prescribed by law in California in accordance with Assembly Bill 1887 (AB 1887), enacted in 2016.
“Make no mistake: A coordinated, ongoing attack on transgender rights is currently taking place across the country,” said Attorney General Bonta. “General legislation targeting transgender children is a ‘solution’ to the search for a problem. It is detached from reality and directly undermines the wellbeing of our LGBTQ + community. During this month of pride and throughout the year, we are committed to resisting discrimination in all its forms. California restricts state-funded travel to Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, and Utah. In accordance with the 1887 AB mandate, we put our money where our values are. ”
In enacting AB 1887, the California Legislature made clear that it was the policy of the state of California to avoid supporting or funding discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. To that end, the law restricts state agencies, departments, boards, or commissions from authorizing state-funded travel to a state that — after June 26, 2015 — enacted a law authorizing, or repealing existing protections against, discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. All relevant agencies in California are responsible for consulting the 1887 AB list maintained by the California Department of Justice to comply with travel and financing restrictions set by law.
Information on the reasons and timetable for including each new state on the 1887 AB list is as follows:
Arizona
Arizona is added to the state-funded list of California travel restrictions as a result of Arizona’s trip to Senate Bill 1138 and Senate Bill 1165. Both bills were signed into law by the Governor of Arizona on March 30. Senate Bill 1138 prohibits workers healthcare professionals from providing, and insurance companies of insurance, sex-confirming care for minors. Senate Bill 1165 repeals existing protections and prevents transgender women and girls from participating in inter-school and inter-school sports that are consistent with their gender identity. Given the effective dates for the new laws, Arizona, in accordance with AB 1887, will be added to California’s list of travel restrictions on September 28, 2022.
Indiana
Indiana is being added to California’s list of state-funded travel restrictions as a result of Indiana’s passage of House Bill 1041, which was passed after the Indiana Legislature, on May 24, overrode the Indiana Governor’s veto. House Bill 1041 repeals existing protections and prevents transgender women and girls from participating in interscholastic school sports consistent with their gender identity. Given the effective date for the new law, Indiana, pursuant to AB 1887, will be added to California’s travel restrictions list on July 1, 2022.
Louisiana
