State Senate passes bill banning "gender transition" procedures for minors

Good news:

Senate approves bill prohibiting gender transition procedures for minors

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 15th) – The full Senate has approved a measure prohibiting gender transition procedures for children under the age of 18.  Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is the author of Senate Bill 613, which bans the use of any medications or surgical procedures for the purpose of gender transition.  Behavioral and mental health counseling and medications for depression and anxiety are not included.

“These transition treatments are permanent, irreversible, and can lead to a host of medical problems later in life. Being transgender, gender non-conforming, or experiencing gender dysphoria is very real, but these are mental, not physical conditions. Children need behavioral and mental health treatment to give them the opportunity to resolve these issues,” Daniels said.  “Once they reach 18, they may not wish to seek more drastic treatment, but at least they will have reached some level of maturity to make a more informed decision.”

SB 613 provides for treatment of precocious puberty, delayed puberty and conditions such as ambiguous or incomplete genitalia, both male and female genitalia, and sex development disorders.

Penalties for violation may include felony charges, license revocation and civil actions which can be filed by a parent or guardian or by the child when they reach age 18.

OCPA praises Senate passage of child protections

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 15, 2023)— Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small today praised members of the Oklahoma Senate for passing legislation that would prevent children from undergoing sex-reassignment surgeries, cross-sex hormones, or puberty blockers, before age 18.

“The idea that we would ban a child from smoking cigarettes but allow them to receive life-altering surgeries or cross-sex hormones has never made sense, and members of the Senate deserve credit for advancing this common-sense protection for minors,” Small said. “The reality, as an increasing number of people now realize, is that so-called transgender procedures produce long-term physical and emotional harm to many young people, and that lifelong regret and an increase in suicidal thoughts are often the consequence. As a state, we cannot turn a blind eye to reality.

“Governor Kevin Stitt and several lawmakers who have worked diligently to put these meaningful protections in place are worthy of appreciation, including Sen. Warren Hamilton, Sen. David Bullard, Sen. Nathan Dahm, Sen. Shane Jett, Sen. Rob Standridge, Sen. Julie Daniels, Rep. Jim Olsen, and Rep. Kevin West.”

Members of the Oklahoma Senate voted overwhelmingly, 40-8, to approve Senate Bill 613 today.

Senate Bill 613 states, “A health care provider shall not provide gender transition procedures to any child.”

The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs is a free-market think tank that works to advance principles and policies that support free enterprise, limited government, individual initiative and personal responsibility.

Naturally, the Democrats are apoplectic:

Statement from Senate Democrats on Senate medical care ban

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement regarding Senate Bill 613, which passed the full Senate Wednesday 40-8.

“The rights of Oklahoma parents were diminished in the State Senate today. Oklahoma parents love their children, and they have the right to choose the medical treatment they need. Best practice medical care saves lives. Senate Bill 613 is government intrusion that subverts the parent/guardian decision-making process. This legislation is anti-parental choice and will cost Oklahoma medical talent and lives. We should have more faith in Oklahoma parents.”