Yesterday, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota signed Executive Order 23-03, a comprehensive order that safeguards transgender individuals, their families, and their providers from out-of-state prosecution. The order guarantees access to healthcare and extends protection to transgender people from all state agencies while obtaining such care. This order is referred to as a "safe state law," which has been proposed and passed in several states across the U.S. Initially introduced by California Senator Scott Weiner, sponsor of the state's own safe state law, these proposals aim to prevent the criminalization and extradition of families and providers who seek sanctuary from being targeted by their home states. If the order's extensive safeguards materialize, Minnesota would rank among the safest states in the U.S. for transgender individuals in terms of state policy and legislation.

The order’s protections are comprehensive. It contains several provisions to mandate health insurance companies to no longer deny transgender care. It directs state agencies to require modern standards of care. Many times when it comes to transgender care, the only things that are covered are hormones and gender reassignment surgery - this was the standard of care two decades ago. Now, things like facial feminization surgery, hair removal, prosthetics, and more are considered medically necessary and supported by evidence in the modern standards of care spelled out in WPATH 8. It also provides protections against discrimination in educational institutions, another major issue given the willingness of some school districts this year to pass local policies banning bathroom access.