This bill outlines various prohibitions and protections concerning medical procedures, treatments, and counseling related to minors and gender identity, particularly in the context of minors who may wish to present or appear in a way that is inconsistent with their biological sex. Here are the key provisions:
Key Provisions of the Bill:
Prohibition on Medical Procedures for Gender Transition:
Prohibits individuals from performing or assisting in any medical procedure or treatment aimed at helping a minor present or appear in a manner inconsistent with their sex (e.g., treatments for gender transition). This includes procedures like hormone therapy or surgeries designed to alter a minor's physical characteristics to align with their gender identity.
Protection for Conscience and Religious Beliefs:
Prevents penalties or adverse actions against individuals or organizations who provide counseling, advice, or guidance related to gender identity that aligns with their conscience or religious beliefs.
This means that if a professional's views on gender are based on their religious or moral beliefs, they are protected from any disciplinary action for offering guidance that may not align with certain medical or social views on gender transition.
Parental Consent for Gender-Related Treatment:
Parents, guardians, or legal custodians have the right to withhold consent for treatments or services that are intended to shape or influence a minor’s understanding of gender or sex or that aim to treat gender dysphoria (discomfort with one's biological sex).
Parental Rights Regarding Information:
The bill prohibits law enforcement officers, state employees, or agents from encouraging minors to withhold information from their parents about their physical or mental health related to gender identity, or from withholding such information from parents.
Protection Against Discrimination or Retaliation:
Individuals who provide information or report violations of the bill’s provisions are protected from retaliation or discrimination by those involved in the violations. This encourages accountability without fear of retribution.
Prohibition on Use of State Funds:
The state cannot use state funds for the performance of or for promoting any medical procedure or treatment that furthers a minor’s desire to present or appear inconsistent with their sex.
Legal Recourse for Violations:
Any individual who is harmed or aggrieved by a violation of the bill's provisions can file a lawsuit and seek damages or civil remedies. This provides a legal avenue for people who believe their rights have been violated under the bill.
This bill restricts medical treatments related to gender transition for minors and ensures parental control over decisions regarding their children's gender identity. It also protects healthcare providers from penalties when offering guidance that aligns with their religious or conscience beliefs. Additionally, the bill ensures parental involvement in medical decisions and prevents state funds from being used for gender transition treatments for minors. Finally, it provides a way for individuals to take legal action if the bill’s provisions are violated.
Summary
The bill prohibits an individual to perform or cause or assist in the
performance of any medical procedure or medical treatment that furthers a minor's desire to present or appear in a manner that is inconsistent with the minor's sex.
The bill prohibits an office, agency, political subdivision of this
state, or organization with the authority to license or discipline members of a profession from imposing a penalty or taking adverse action against an individual who provides or receives counseling, advice, or guidance consistent with conscience or religious belief.
The bill allows the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a minor
to withhold consent for treatment, activity, or mental health-care service that is designed and intended to form the parent's child's conceptions of sex and gender or to treat gender dysphoria or gender nonconformity.
The bill prohibits a law enforcement officer acting pursuant to an
investigation, an employee, an agent of this state, or a political subdivision from encouraging a minor to withhold information from the minor's parent or from withholding information regarding a minor's physical or mental health from the minor's parent.
The bill prohibits a person from being discriminated or retaliated
against by a person who provides information regarding an act or omission that violates the requirements described in the bill.
The bill prohibits the state from using state funds for the
performance of, or in furtherance of, any medical procedure or medical treatment that furthers a minor's desire to present or appear in a manner that is inconsistent with the minor's sex.
The bill allows an individual harmed or aggrieved by a violation
of the requirements described in the bill to file suit and recover certain damages and civil remedies.
