Committee hears HB 712 to restrict non‑medical chest surgery for minors; testimony sharply divided

The House Health and Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee held public testimony on House Bill 712, which would restrict elective chest surgery for minors while allowing specified exceptions such as cancer, severe symptomatic macromastia, or reconstructive needs. The hearing drew sharply divided testimony from legislators, clinicians, parents and young people.

The sponsor, Representative Lisa Mazer, told the committee the bill is intended to “limit gender surgeries for minors while allowing breast surgery exceptions for cases of medical necessity.” She said the measure is meant to protect children from irreversible procedures until they can give informed consent and to preserve surgical care for minors with clear medical indications.

Why it matters: Supporters described cases of minors who later regretted non‑medical surgery, and pointed to new studies and international reviews they say counsel greater caution. Opponents — including Dartmouth Health and civil‑liberties advocates — said the draft would interfere with medical judgement, parental rights, and discriminate against transgender youth.

What supporters said: Representative Mazer and other proponents argued the bill strikes a balance by carving exceptions for malignancy, severe macromastia with chronic pain or posture problems, major congenital anomalies, trauma, and other medically justified reasons. They also cited personal testimony from people who say elective procedures undertaken as minors caused lasting harms.

What opponents said: Courtney Reed of the ACLU of New Hampshire said HB 712 “singles out transgender adolescents” and would limit private medical decision‑making. Dartmouth Health’s government relations director told the committee the health system opposes the bill because it would “interfere with the doctor‑patient relationship” and impede referrals when care is provided out of state.

How care currently is provided: Multiple witnesses described multi‑disciplinary pathways to surgery: mental‑health evaluation, documentation of persistent dysphoria, medical assessment, and insurance approvals. Several speakers emphasized that minors who undergo chest surgery are a small fraction of patients and that most professional guidelines call for careful evaluation before invasive steps.

Formal action: No vote or formal committee action occurred at the hearing.

What’s next: Committee members raised technical drafting questions during testimony (cross‑references and numbering in the draft were noted). The committee will consider testimony, possible amendments and whether to report the bill out for further legislative action.

Context: HB 712 was heard after a multi‑hour hearing on HB 377 (treatment for transgender minors); both bills drew large public turnout and extensive testimony from both sides of the debate.