CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A bill that would ban gender-affirming medical care for minors is one step closer to becoming law in West Virginia.
On Saturday afternoon, the House of Delegates passed Senate Bill 299 without any changes, sending it back to the Senate for final approval.
The bill prohibits doctors and other medical professionals from prescribing gender-altering medications—such as puberty blockers and certain hormone treatments—or performing gender reassignment surgeries on individuals under 18.
It also classifies violations as unprofessional conduct, meaning healthcare providers could face disciplinary actions, including the loss of their medical licenses.
The legislature passed a similar bill in 2023, but this bill removes a previous exemption that allowed for some of these treatments and expands restrictions to include physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses.
The only exceptions would be for minors with medically proven disorders of sex development or in emergency situations.
Telehealth providers would also be barred from prescribing gender-altering medications to minors, and the state Attorney General would be given authority to enforce the law through civil actions, including seeking damages and court orders.
The bill also affirms that only two sexes are legally recognized at birth, though it acknowledges rare medical conditions that can affect biological sex classification.
If approved by the Senate and signed into law, the changes would take effect on August 1, 2025.
Supporters say the measure is aimed at protecting children, while opponents argue it strips families and doctors of the ability to make personal medical decisions.
