The bill, passed 66-28 by the state House of Representatives on the last day of the legislature, is the latest in a series of Republican-led states that deal with trans youth. The American Civil Liberties Union described it as the first bill of its kind to criminalize transgender health care, and said it would challenge the bill in court if Republican Gov. Kay Ivy signed it. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register The bill would make it a felony with up to 10 years in prison for providing medical care, including hormone therapy, adolescent inhibitors and sex reassignment surgery to minors. Minority Democrats have sought to fight the bill in part by arguing that it runs counter to Republican principles about the role of government. “This is not a small government, this is not a conservative bill,” Democrat Neil Rafferty told the House. But Republican Rep. Wes Allen likened the initiative to laws barring minors from getting tattoos or buying nicotine products. “We make decisions in this body all the time to protect children from making decisions that could harm them permanently,” Allen said. Ivey did not say whether she would sign the bill, but last year she signed one banning trans athletes from school sports. Ivey’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The bill will also require school staff to disclose to a parent or legal guardian that “a minor’s perception of his or her gender or gender is inconsistent with the minor’s gender.” Last week, Arizona Gov. Doug Duchess signed a bill banning irreversible sex reassignment surgery for minors. read more Leading health and mental health professionals say that gender-responsive care saves lives by reducing the risk of depression and suicide. Gender reassignment surgery for people under the age of 18 is extremely rare and would only occur after years of treatment in cases where the patient’s wishes are unshakable, according to specialist doctors. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly opposed the bill and urged Ivy to veto it. “This legislation targets vulnerable young people and puts them at great risk of physical and mental harm,” said Marc Del Monte, the academy’s chief executive. “Criminalizing evidence-based medical services is dangerous.” The Alabama Senate also passed a bill requiring public school students to use gender-appropriate bathrooms or locker rooms on their original birth certificates. An amendment is attached to the bill, which must now be returned to Parliament for a vote, banning class discussion on sexual orientation or gender identity at certain levels. Trans rights have emerged as one of the front-line issues in the cultural wars ahead of the November congressional by-elections. Lawmakers have introduced hundreds of bills in all state legislatures, most of which are for trans young people. Many Republicans and conservative activists promote the laws as guarantees for children and parental rights. Opponents, including Democrats and LGBTQ + organizations, say the legislation is harmful, redundant and unfairly targets vulnerable and under-represented communities. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Report by Maria Caspani. Edited by: Lisa Shumaker and Bradley Perrett Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
