Contentious testimony on HB612; chair defers bill after medical and advocacy witnesses clash

House Bill 612 — a measure that would restrict elective, non‑emergency genital surgeries on infants and young children with intersex variations — prompted sharply divided testimony and was deferred by the committee for further consideration.

The Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission testified in strong support, arguing that such irreversible surgeries should not proceed without the person’s informed consent and citing international medical reviews that question the evidence base for early elective procedures. The commission recommended more rigorous consent protections and suggested centers of excellence for complex surgeries.

By contrast, Dr. Leslie Nicolay, a board‑certified pediatric urologist credentialed at Kapiolani Medical Center, testified in opposition. Nicolay said the bill “oversimplifies” complex, diverse conditions and could unintentionally impede care for common conditions such as hypospadias, a relatively frequent congenital condition affecting roughly 1 in 250 boys, and warned that delaying some surgeries can increase complication rates.

Other advocates urged stronger protections, with some speakers favoring even stricter age thresholds. Committee members said the testimony raised substantive clinical and legal questions that require further study; the chair deferred HB612 to allow more time for deliberation and to gather additional medical and stakeholder input.

Why it matters: The bill raises ethical, clinical and parental‑rights questions about timing and consent for complex genital surgeries. Testimony showed strong disagreement among medical specialists, advocacy groups and community organizations about the appropriate standard for elective procedures for infants and young children.