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Committee approves ban on gender-affirming medical interventions for minors after hours of testimony
Summary
After several hours of expert and public testimony, the committee passed HB 1570, which prohibits surgical and chemical gender‑affirming procedures for minors while preserving counseling; supporters cited limited pediatric data and developmental concerns, while medical societies, pediatricians and parents warned of harms and increased suicide risk.
Representative Lundstrom sponsored House Bill 1570, summarizing the measure as a restriction that "prohibits gender-change operations on children" while preserving counseling options. He framed the bill as an effort to protect minors until they reach the age of majority and can make adult medical decisions.
Two psychiatrists who testified in support raised concerns about the strength and duration of pediatric evidence for hormone or surgical interventions. Dr. Charles Lewis said pediatric longitudinal data are limited and that adult research findings cannot be assumed to apply to children; Dr. Roger Hyatt Jr. described rising referrals in recent years and said many children present with comorbid psychiatric conditions. Both urged caution in providing irreversible medical or surgical treatments to minors.
Opponents filled the committee room and the record. Trans youth, parents, pediatricians and professional organizations told the committee HB 1570 would deny medically recognized care, harm patients, and increase suicide risk. Dr. Natalie Burr, representing the Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said, "This bill would cause harm to the health and well-being of youth with gender diversity or gender dysphoria in our state." Pediatric and mental‑health witnesses described existing standards of care, multidisciplinary evaluations, and gradual, staged approaches; many offered to provide published literature and clinical protocols to the committee.
Multiple families and young people gave personal testimony about improved well‑being after access to gender-affirming care. Cash Ashley, a trans man from Little Rock, said, "If this bill passes, people will die," linking restrictions to elevated suicide risk among trans youth. Other clinicians and parents urged lawmakers to defer to medical professionals and family decision‑making rather than ban treatments by statute.
Representative Lundstrom closed by saying the bill's intent is to let children reach 18 before irreversible procedures and asked for a "good vote." The committee voted to pass HB 1570 by voice vote.
Next steps: HB 1570 will be scheduled for full-chamber consideration; medical groups and advocates flagged possible further debate and outreach.
