Hunter
03/09/23
Despite protests from students, parents and the medical profession, the Iowa Legislature has passed a bill banning gender-affirming healthcare for minors.
The bill heads to Governor Kim Reynolds’ desk for her signature.
The Gazette reports Republican legislators who proposed and advanced the ban on gender-affirming care say it is necessary to protect children from medical care and treatments when the science is not settled, even though all major medical groups in the U.S. say the treatments are safe and the vast majority of studies show that the care leads to better mental health outcomes.
The bill bans treating minors with puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries to treat gender dysphoria Doctors who violate the statute would be subject to discipline from a state licensing board and could be sued by individuals. Minors who are currently receiving treatment have 180 days to discontinue care.
Earlier this week, the Senate passed a bill that would prohibit transgender students from using school bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity, while the Iowa House passed a bill that bans instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through sixth grade.