Kansas committee hears hours of testimony on SB 63, the "Help Not Harm Act," which would ban gender‑affirming medical care for minors

The Public Health and Welfare Committee introduced RS 0711 — Senate Bill 63, titled the Help Not Harm Act, and heard more than 20 public speakers for and against the proposal.

Jenna Moyer of the Revisor of Statutes Office gave a bill brief, describing the measure as a narrower version of a bill from last year and saying it "prohibits a healthcare provider from knowingly performing certain surgical procedures or prescribing, dispensing, or administering hormone treatments or puberty blockers for the purpose of treating gender dysphoria" in minors, while identifying limited exceptions and effective dates.

The measure would, according to the bill brief, bar use of state funds to subsidize or promote social transitioning, medication, or surgery for a child as treatment for gender dysphoria; prohibit providers from prescribing or administering defined medications or performing defined surgeries for that purpose; include carveouts for children with a verified diagnosis of a disorder of sex development and for a limited weaning/tapering period ending December 31, 2024; and impose disciplinary and civil consequences, including possible license revocation and limits on…