California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law last week a bill that makes the state a “sanctuary” for gender-confused children who want to transition medically without the knowledge or consent of their parents. It is a monstrous law that undermines parental rights and puts at risk the mental and physical well-being of vulnerable children who are too young to see past the immediate consequences of their decisions.

The legislation is geared toward out-of-state residents, especially those who live in red states where medical and chemical sex-change treatments are restricted. It includes a number of provisions to shield California’s medical industry from prosecution, including one that prohibits state agencies and law enforcement organizations from enforcing subpoenas by other states regarding where, when, and on whom sex-change treatments are performed. In other words, the law allows California doctors to alter children’s bodies permanently, regardless of parental consent, without fear of consequence. This is exploitation, plain and simple.