South Carolina's Republican governor recently signed a law that prohibits gender-affirming medical care for minors in the state. The law, known as H 4624, aims to safeguard children from irreversible gender transition procedures and restrict the use of public funds for such treatments.
This legislation, which passed by a vote of 28-8, makes South Carolina the latest state to join over 20 others in imposing limitations on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The law, effective immediately, prohibits physicians from administering gender-affirming medical care to minors, including hormone treatments, puberty blockers, and surgeries.
While major medical associations support gender-affirming care for individuals experiencing gender dysphoria, the new law in South Carolina imposes strict restrictions on such treatments. However, healthcare providers can continue hormone treatments and puberty blockers for minors prescribed before August 1, 2024, under certain conditions until January 31, 2025.
Healthcare professionals in South Carolina who violate the law by providing gender-affirming care outside the specified limits may face disciplinary actions and civil lawsuits. Physicians performing surgeries on minors could potentially be charged with inflicting great bodily harm and face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
In addition to medical restrictions, the law mandates school officials to inform parents or guardians if a minor expresses gender incongruence or requests the use of different pronouns at school.
The enactment of this law has sparked criticism from civil rights organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Human Rights Campaign, who view it as an infringement on personal freedoms and a threat to the transgender community's access to healthcare.
As similar laws emerge in various states across the country, legal challenges have ensued, leading to conflicting court rulings and mounting pressure on the US Supreme Court to address this contentious issue.
