ATLANTA — A bill that would prevent transgender state employees from receiving health benefits for gender-affirming care is moving forward in the Georgia General Assembly.
Channel 2′s Richard Elliot was at the Georgia State Capitol as the Republican-backed bill passed the state Senate on Tuesday.
Opponents insist that the bill is unconstitutional.
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Vidalia Republican State Senator Blake Tillery said the bill says no tax dollars through health benefits should be used for gender-affirming care by transgender state employees.
“I think it goes to the ultimate question whether or not state taxpayer dollars should be used for transgender surgeries, and the ultimate answer was no,” Tillery said.
The bill passed along party lines with strong Republican support.
“This is the most effective and the most beneficial piece of legislation that we’ve passed thus far,” State Senator Colton Moore (R-Trenton) said.
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Democrats tried to get a provision for mental health care for transgender employees into the bill, but Republicans insisted it was already included.
“I offered that amendment so people who are struggling and handling questions about their gender identity might be able to go to a trusted authority to talk about that,” State Senator Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain) said.
Opponents say the bill violates the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause and promise they will fight back and file suit if it becomes law.
“Over the last 20 years, the State of Georgia has been sued multiple times by transgender employees for unfair treatment, and the State of Georgia has lost every single one of those lawsuits,” Jeff Graham with Georgia Equality said.
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