Bill > HB3431

This bill proposes significant restrictions on medical and mental health treatments for children related to gender transition, creating criminal penalties for healthcare providers. Specifically, the bill prohibits physicians and healthcare providers from performing surgeries that could sterilize a child, such as castration, vasectomy, hysterectomy, and various gender-related surgical procedures. It also bans prescribing puberty-blocking drugs, hormone treatments that could induce infertility, and removing healthy body parts. Additionally, the bill makes it illegal for non-physician mental health professionals to provide gender-affirming therapy or counseling to children intended to affirm a gender different from their biological sex. The legislation further prohibits healthcare professionals from referring children to out-of-state practitioners for treatments that would be considered illegal if performed in Texas. Violations of these provisions are classified as state jail felonies, which are criminal offenses that typically carry potential imprisonment and fines. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving healthcare providers and institutions time to adapt to the new legal requirements. This legislation represents a significant legal intervention in pediatric gender-related healthcare, restricting medical and therapeutic approaches for transgender and gender-questioning youth.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3431