Kansas becomes 27th state to ban sex-change surgeries for minors after veto override

Kansas has become the 27th state to prohibit sex-change surgeries for minors after its Republican-controlled legislature overrode a veto from Democratic Governor Laura Kelly.

• The Kansas Senate and House of Representatives voted to override Kelly's veto of Senate Bill 63, known as the Help Not Harm Act.

• The Senate vote was 31-9, while the House voted 84-35, both exceeding the two-thirds majority needed for the override.

• The law restricts youth with gender dysphoria from accessing puberty-blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, and certain surgeries deemed to be harmful.

• The votes were predominantly along party lines, with Republicans supporting the law and Democrats opposing it. A few Republicans in the House also voted against the override.

• Matt Sharp from Alliance Defending Freedom emphasized the need to protect vulnerable children from irreversible medical procedures and advocate for guidance from family members instead.

• Kansas joins several other states, including Alabama, Florida, and Texas, that have passed similar laws banning such procedures for minors.

• The Trump administration previously acted to limit gender transition procedures for minors, directing federal agencies to ensure that institutions do not engage in these practices and seek to exclude coverage from military healthcare programs.

• Concerns have been raised about the effects of puberty-blocking drugs, including potential impacts on neurocognitive development and bone density, as highlighted by a report from Dr. Hillary Cass commissioned by the UK’s National Health Service.

• The conservative American College of Pediatricians has issued warnings regarding the risks associated with puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

The new law in Kansas reflects a growing trend among states to restrict gender transition procedures for minors, amid widespread debate over the risks and ethics of such medical interventions. Supporters argue it protects children from premature, life-altering decisions, while opponents see it as a denial of necessary healthcare. 

https://www.christianpost.com/news/kansas-bans-gender-transition-procedures-for-minors.html