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Committee tables bill that would require parental involvement for minors’ reproductive and gender-affirming care after hours of testimony
Summary
House Bill 543, which would define a minor as an individual under 18 and add a provision that the Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act not be construed to allow minors to receive gender-affirming care, was tabled by a 5–4 committee vote after testimony from parents, medical providers and advocacy groups.
A House committee on Tuesday tabled House Bill 543 after several hours of testimony from parents, advocacy groups and medical providers. The bill would clarify consent requirements for minors, define a minor as "an individual who is 18 years of age," and add a provision stating that nothing in the Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act shall be construed to allow a minor to receive gender-affirming health care.
Supporters told the committee the bill restores parental involvement in life-altering medical decisions and addresses cases they described as parents being excluded from conversations about hormone therapies or surgeries. Jody Hendricks, executive director of New Mexico Family Action Movement, said "every child deserves the loving guidance of their parents, especially when facing major life decisions." Mikael Peterson of Freedom Families United said parents should be the decision-makers for irreversible medical treatment.
Opponents including Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains and a practicing physician said the bill would undermine young people's access to safe, evidence-based care. Quintin Ampersand, a law student testifying on behalf of Planned Parenthood, said forcing parental involvement would "force minors into unsafe situations" and limit access to accurate medical care. Dr. Molly McClain, who identified herself as a practicing physician in Albuquerque who has provided gender care for nearly 10 years, said parental consent is typically part of standards of care but warned that legislating standards of care would not improve clinician recruitment or retention and "it won't protect kids, it won't protect families."
Committee members questioned clinical risks and legal remedies. Supporters raised concerns about long-term effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, citing bone-density loss, cardiovascular risk and potential infertility; opponents and clinician testimony said standards of care already tend to involve parent engagement and warned about increased isolation for youth if access is restricted.
On the motions, Representative Sena Cortez moved for a due pass with Representative Martinez seconding; a substitute motion to table prevailed. The clerk recorded the motion to table as passing by a 5–4 vote and announced the bill "has been taken," i.e., tabled. The transcript records committee discussion and roll-call statements but does not record a subsequent amendment or next steps for implementation.
The hearing included public-comment testimony from advocacy organizations and clinicians and substantial questioning by committee members; the record shows concern both for parental involvement and for maintaining access to medically recommended care.
