Gov. Kathy Hochul on Dec. 19 signed a bill expanding a state law protecting gender-affirming and reproductive care from out-of-state legal proceedings, but also vetoed legislation intended to improve access to medication to treat or prevent HIV.
The governor approved the so-called “Shield Law 2.0,” which bolsters the state’s 2023 Trans Safe Haven Act, at a time when the Trump administration is moving aggressively to restrict gender-affirming care, especially for youth, while dozens of states have implemented anti-trans health policies.
