Senate Advances Bill That Would Criminalize Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

The Montana House of Representatives will now have the chance to debate a bill that would make providing gender-affirming care to children under the age of 16 a felony for endangering the welfare of a child. The Senate passed the bill last week on a 30-20 vote.

Senate Bill 164 would classify surgical procedures, puberty blockers or hormones like testosterone and estrogen provided to children for gender-affirming treatment as criminal offenses.

Proponents of the bill said it would protect children from life-altering procedures while opponents said it would infringe on parental rights, cost the...