Texas approves bill outlawing puberty blockers and hormone therapy for children
Eden Villalovas
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Texas passed a bill banning medicine used in gender transition procedures for minors on Wednesday.
The bill will now make its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R-TX) desk, who is likely to sign it, making Texas the largest state to ban transition treatments for those under 18 years old.
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The GOP-controlled chamber voted 19-12 in favor of Senate Bill 14, placing bans on puberty-blocking treatments for minors. The bill bars healthcare providers from performing mastectomies or surgeries that would remove or sterilize body parts or healthy tissue.
There is an exemption under the legislation for those who are already undergoing medical treatment. However, those individuals must “wean off the prescription drug” over time in a way that is medically safe.
“Here in Texas, we will protect our kids!” legislation sponsor state Sen. Donna Campbell tweeted. “Thank you to everyone who supported and helped pass my bill.”
The Texas Senate passed the bill at the end of March, and Democrats have attempted to delay the House in passing the bill in recent weeks, successfully postponing the vote twice earlier this month, when protests broke out in the chamber.
“We are the Legislature — our job is to protect people,” state Sen. Bob Hall said. “We protect children against lots of things. We don’t let them smoke. We don’t let them drink. We don’t let them buy lottery cards. … And so we are doing the right thing.”
The measure is strongly opposed by some advocacy groups, certain healthcare providers, and Democrats across the state.
Some Democratic lawmakers joined Republicans in voting in favor of the bill.
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“I am assured that this position is rooted in sound policy which supports the health, development, and overall well-being of minors,” Rep. Shawn Thierry tweeted last week.
On Wednesday, the Senate also approved Senate Bill 15, which bars transgender athletes from competing on teams that differ from their sex assigned at birth.