In the wake of fierce criticism of the so-called “don’t say gay” bill, GOP state Rep. Randy Fine says he will sponsor a bill aimed at preventing parents and doctors from providing gender assignment treatment to transgender children.
Fine, R-Palm Bay, said Monday the bill he plans to file next year would make providing drugs or surgery to a minor for gender assignment a felony child abuse crime punishable by prison and/or loss of a medical license. He said the bill would not affect “mental counseling” for minors.
The American Medical Association has called gender assignment care, which can include puberty-blocking drugs and hormone treatments, “medically necessary” and “evidence-based” and called on states to not ban the practice because of a significantly heightened risk of suicide from “societal stigma and discrimination.”
