AUGUSTA, Maine (WGAN) A legislative committee voted Thursday to advance a bill to protect medical providers who provide abortion and gender-affirming care from legal action by other states.

The health coverage, insurance and financial affairs committee voted 8-4 in favor of the bill.

The vote was along party lines with democrats supporting the bill and republicans voting against it.

Opponents say the bill could violate the rights of parents of transgender children, while supporters say it wouldn’t change any laws related to parental rights.

Under the bill, doctors wouldn’t have to comply with demands for information on patients from states where access to that care is restricted.

It now heads to the Maine House of Representatives for a floor debate in the coming days.