HB 25-1253

The Youth Health Protection Act, which has been signed into law, restricts medical treatments that help minors who are gender dysphoric or nonconforming to express their gender identity. It also allows parents to refuse consent for such treatments and protects healthcare providers from penalties if they provide counseling based on religious beliefs. The law prevents the use of state funds for these procedures and shields individuals from discrimination when reporting violations. This impacts minors seeking gender-affirming care, their families, medical professionals, and anyone involved in enforcing or opposing the bill's provisions.

Official 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. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)