Idaho House passes bill criminalizing gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors

A bill criminalizing gender-affirming health care for minors overwhelmingly passed the Idaho House Tuesday, despite warnings from opponents who said it would likely increase suicide rates among teens.

The bill, which would subject physicians to felony charges if they provide puberty blockers, hormone treatment or gender-affirming surgeries to transgender youth under 18, is just one of several targeting Idaho's LGBTQ+ residents this year. Proponents of the bill have acknowledged that gender-affirming surgeries on minors are not currently being performed in Idaho.

Rep. Bruce Skaug, a Republican from Nampa, said the legislation was needed to "protect children," and that puberty blockers and hormone treatment could cause permanent harm. But major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and American Psychiatric Association, support gender-affirming care for youth. Many of those organizations have also issued policy statements opposing legislative attempts to limit such care.