Alabama Approves a Bill That Will Make Gender-Affirming Care For Minors a Felony
Alabama lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill criminalizing gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers, hormone therapies and surgeries, for transgender and nonbinary minors. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Kay Ivey (R) for either a signature or a veto.
The bill, passed on what is likely the final day of the state’s legislative session, would be the first piece of legislation nationwide to make providing gender-affirming care to patients younger than 19 years old a felony, punishable by up to a decade in prison.
State senators on Thursday also sent another bill, House Bill 322, back to the House of Representatives for final approval. Under the bill, transgender youth would be prohibited from using gender-segregated facilities like restrooms or locker rooms in schools that match their gender identity. A last-minute amendment to the bill also bars educators from engaging in classroom instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
