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Divisive testimony on bill to prohibit cross‑sex hormones for minors highlights sharply divided views
Summary
Supporters described long‑term medical and psychosocial risks and urged prohibition of hormone treatments for minors; opponents — including trans youth, parents and medical advocates — said the bill would deny life‑saving care and harm mental health. Committee heard extensive testimony for and against and did not vote.
House Bill 13-99, proposed as the “Protect the Kids Act,” drew sharply divided testimony during a late‑night March 11 hearing before the Health and Government Operations Committee.
Sponsor Delegate Lauren Arikan framed the bill as a protection for minors, saying research shows a higher prevalence of autism among some youths who later identify as transgender and raising concerns about irreversible medical interventions that she and supporters described as “experimental” for children. Arikan said she intended the legislation to bar cross‑sex hormone therapy and to address what she characterized as long‑term harms and…
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