Judiciary committee advances Protect Children's Innocence Act to criminalize certain gender‑affirming interventions for minors

The House Judiciary Committee adopted an amendment and ordered HR 3492, the Protect Children's Innocence Act, reported favorably after extended debate over medical evidence, parental rights and federalism.

Sponsor Representative Hageman (Wyoming) described the bill as an amendment to existing federal law that would make the genital or bodily mutilation and chemical castration of minors a federal criminal offense. She said the measure would exempt counseling and other non‑surgical practices but would bar certain treatments for minors.

Opponents, including Representative Raskin and a range of medical groups cited in committee, said major medical organizations support age‑appropriate gender‑affirming care for youth and warned that the bill would criminalize physicians, interfere with parental medical decision‑making and increase suicide risk among transgender youth. Representative Raskin urged members to trust clinicians and families and cited statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other professional groups opposing bans on care.

Members offered and defeated multiple amendments. The committee ultimately adopted a substitute and, on a recorded roll call, ordered the bill reported favorably; the clerk reported 17 ayes and 10 noes on final passage in committee.

Why it matters: The bill would create federal criminal penalties for certain medical treatments for minors related to gender transition. It touches on medical practice, parental authority, federal‑state division of responsibility for medical regulation, and public‑health concerns.

What’s next: The committee ordered the bill reported favorably to the House; staff was authorized to make technical and conforming changes. Members will have two days to submit additional views.