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Heated testimony on Senate proposal to criminalize certain gender‑affirming treatments for minors
Summary
SB164, which would add certain medical interventions for minors to the endangering‑welfare statute, drew hours of testimony from physicians, advocacy groups and families; medical organizations warned it would criminalize standard pediatric care and risk harm to youth. Committee deferred executive action for further review.
Senate Bill 164 — proposing to amend Montana’s endangering‑welfare statute to criminalize knowingly procuring or providing certain treatments to children under 16 for the purpose of "altering the appearance of the child or affirming the child's perception" inconsistent with biological sex — prompted an extended, often emotional hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sponsor Senator John Fuller told the committee the amendment would make clear that providing puberty blockers, cross‑sex hormones or surgical interventions to minors for the purpose of affirming gender inconsistent with biological sex could meet the statutory definition of endangering the welfare of a child. "Sterilizing children chemically or surgically altering their sex and afflicting upon them a…
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