CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Senate has introduced Senate Bill 279, a proposed law that would prohibit gender transition surgeries, treatments, and therapies for minors in the state. The bill, titled the Health and Natural Development Protection Act, seeks to establish penalties for healthcare professionals who provide such services while also introducing whistleblower protections and restrictions on public funding.
Key Provisions of SB 279
Under the proposed legislation, it would be illegal for medical professionals, mental health care providers, or counselors to perform or facilitate gender transition-related procedures on individuals under the age of 21. The bill specifically prohibits:
- Gender transition surgeries, including procedures such as mastectomies, hysterectomies, and genital reconstruction.
- The prescription or administration of puberty blockers and hormone treatments intended to alter a minor’s biological sex.
- The use of state funds for gender transition-related treatments, ensuring that taxpayer dollars do not subsidize such procedures.
Penalties for Violations
Healthcare providers who violate the proposed law would be subject to license revocation, disciplinary action from their licensing boards, and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The bill also includes a civil remedy clause, allowing individuals harmed by gender transition procedures to sue medical providers for damages up to 20 years after reaching adulthood.
Prevention of Local Policies & Whistleblower Protections
SB 279 preempts local governments from enacting policies that contradict the state’s regulations on gender transition care. It also provides whistleblower protections, ensuring that individuals who report violations or oppose gender transition treatments for minors are protected from discrimination or retaliation.
Legislative Debate & Next Steps
Supporters of the bill argue that it aims to protect the mental and physical well-being of minors, preventing them from making irreversible medical decisions at a young age. Opponents, however, claim the legislation could limit access to necessary medical care for transgender youth and infringe on parental rights.
SB 279 has been referred to the appropriate Senate committees for further discussion and will be subject to debate in the coming weeks. If passed, West Virginia would join several other states that have enacted similar restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors.
