BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho House bill that would have criminalized gender-affirming medical care for transgender children will not advance, Senate Republicans announced Tuesday.
GOP senators said in a news release that they strongly oppose “any and all gender reassignment and surgical manipulation of the natural sex of minors.” But the bill, which the House overwhelmingly passed last week, “undermines parental rights and allows the government to interfere in parents’ medical decision-making authority for their children,” the release said.
“We believe in parents’ rights and that the best decisions regarding medical treatment options for children are made by parents, with the benefit of their physician’s advice and expertise,” the news release said.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, would have altered current state code that outlaws female genital mutilation. The new code would make it a felony to provide minors with puberty blockers, which stop or delay puberty, hormones or transition-related surgeries.
Gender reassignment surgeries for children are rare, a family practice physician previously told the Idaho Statesman. The Idaho Medical Association and the broader American Medical Association oppose legislation, such as Skaug’s bill, that restrict access to health care for transgender people.
Senate Republicans noted the Idaho Medical Association’s opposition. The lawmakers said the legislation could have unintended consequences, such as denying “medically necessary care for kids that is in no way related to transgender therapy, but serves children with highly specialized medical needs.”
During the hearing process in the House, opponents of the bill said it could lead to increased depression and suicide among transgender youth. Multiple transgender children in Idaho testified about their experience with gender-affirming care.
It’s the second House bill in less than a week that Senate Republicans declined to consider. On Friday, the Senate Majority Caucus announced the Senate would not consider a bill that would’ve eliminated most property taxes for homeowners, while raising the sales tax. The legislators said they need more time to study the proposal’s impact.
The caucus includes President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, of Boise, Majority Leader Kelly Anthon, of Burley, Assistant Majority Leader Abby Lee, of Fruitland, and Majority Caucus Chair Mark Harris, of Soda Springs.
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