25 LC 52 0854S
The House Committee on Public and Community Health offers the following substitute
to SB 30:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 and Article 1 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the1
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of hospitals and related2
institutions and the Georgia Composite Medical Board, respectively, so as to prohibit3
prescribing or administering certain hormone therapies and puberty-blocking medications4
for certain purposes to minors; to provide for definitions; to provide for exceptions; to5
provide for limited civil actions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and6
for other purposes.7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8
SECTION 1.9
Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to10
regulation of hospitals and related institutions, is amended by revising Code Section11
31-7-3.5, relating to treatment of minors for gender dysphoria and penalty for violations, as12
follows:13
"31-7-3.5.14
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:15
S. B. 30 (SUB)
- 1 - 25 LC 52 0854S
(1) 'Hormone therapy' means therapy that adds, blocks, or removes hormones for the16
purpose of assisting a minor with attempting to alter such minor's sex or to alter the17
appearance of and affirm such minor's perception of his or her sex if such appearance and18
perception are inconsistent with such minor's sex. Such term includes, but is not limited19
to, the provision of supraphysiologic estrogen or progesterone to a minor who is male or20
supraphysiologic testosterone to a minor who is female, whether such hormones are21
biological, bioidentical, or synthetic.22
(2) 'Puberty-blocking medication' means medication, whether biological, bioidentical,23
or synthetic, used to delay or suppress pubertal development in a minor for the purpose24
of assisting such minor with attempting to alter such minor's sex or to alter the25
appearance of and affirm such minor's perception of his or her sex if such appearance and26
perception are inconsistent with such minor's sex. Such term includes27
gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues or other synthetic drugs used in males to stop28
luteinizing hormone secretion, and therefore testosterone production, and synthetic drugs29
used in females to stop the production of estrogen and progesterone.30
(3) 'Sex' means the biological state of being male or female, in the context of31
reproductive potential or capacity, based on an individual's sex organs, chromosomes,32
naturally occurring sex hormones, gonads, and internal and external genitalia present at33
birth, including secondary sex characteristics.34
(4) 'Sex reassignment surgery' means any surgical procedure that seeks to surgically alter35
or remove healthy or nondiseased physical or anatomical characteristics or features that36
are typical for an individual's sex in order to instill or create physiological or anatomical37
characteristics that resemble a sex different from a minor's sex. Such term means genital38
or nongenital surgery performed for the purpose of assisting a minor with attempting to39
alter such minor's sex or to alter the appearance of and affirm such minor's perception of40
his or her sex if such appearance and perception are inconsistent with such minor's sex. 41
Such term includes, but is not limited to, castration, clitorectomy, clitoroplasty,42
S. B. 30 (SUB)
- 2 - 25 LC 52 0854S
hysterectomy, mammoplasty, mastectomy, metoidioplasty, oophorectomy, orchiectomy,43
penectomy, phalloplasty, vaginectomy, vaginoplasty, vasectomy, and vulvoplasty.44
(a)(b) Except as provided in subsection (b) (c) of this Code section, none of the following45
irreversible procedures or therapies irreversible or reversible treatments shall not be46
performed on a minor for the treatment of gender dysphoria and shall not be prescribed or47
administered to a minor if such procedure or treatment is performed, prescribed, or48
administered for the purpose of attempting to alter the appearance of and affirm such49
minor's perception of his or her sex if such appearance and perception are inconsistent with50
such minor's sex in an institution licensed pursuant to this article:51
(1) Sex reassignment surgeries, or any other surgical procedures, that are performed for52
the purpose of altering primary or secondary sexual sex characteristics; or53
(2) Hormone replacement therapies that are prescribed or administered for the purpose54
of altering primary or secondary sex characteristics; or55
(3) Puberty-blocking medications that are prescribed or administered for the purpose of56
delaying or suppressing puberty; provided, however, that puberty-blocking medications57
may be prescribed or administered to a minor if:58
(A) Such minor has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria by two independent59
behavioral health professionals, including one licensed psychiatrist and one licensed60
psychiatrist or psychologist;61
(B) The prescribing physician is a licensed physician who is board certified in62
pediatrics and board certified in either pediatric endocrinology or adolescent medicine63
and, prior to prescribing or administering any puberty-blocking medications, has64
conducted a comprehensive assessment of such minor's medical history, mental health,65
and any underlying conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder;66
(C) All parents or legal guardians who have the legal authority to make such decisions67
on such minor's behalf provide written informed consent acknowledging the potential68
risks and benefits of and alternatives to puberty-blocking medications; provided,69
S. B. 30 (SUB)
- 3 - 25 LC 52 0854S
however, that, if such parents or legal guardians do not consent to the prescription or70
administration of puberty-blocking medications to such minor and resolution is not71
provided in a parenting plan, either party may petition a court of competent jurisdiction72
to determine what is in the best interest of such minor and such court order shall be73
provided to the prescribing physician;74
(D) The prescribing physician submits an annual treatment progress report to the75
Georgia Composite Medical Board for review; and76
(E) Such minor undergoes quarterly psychological counseling throughout the course77
of such treatment.78
(b)(c) The provisions of subsection (a) (b) of this Code section shall not apply to treatment79
provided pursuant to an exception contained in subsection (b) (c) of Code80
Section 43-34-15.81
(c)(d) The department shall establish sanctions, by rule and regulation, for violations of82
this Code section up to and including the revocation of an institution's permit issued83
pursuant to Code Section 31-7-3.84
(e) A minor's parent or legal guardian who has the legal authority to consent to medical85
treatment on behalf of such minor may bring a civil action against an institution in which86
a procedure or treatment is performed on or prescribed or administered to such minor in87
violation of this Code section, provided that such civil action shall be brought within two88
years of the date on which the violation occurred. An institution shall not be subject to89
civil liability under this Code section for the prescription or administration of90
puberty-blocking medications in accordance with the conditions provided for in91
subparagraphs (b)(3)(A) through (b)(3)(E) of this Code section."92
SECTION 2.93
Article 1 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the94
Georgia Composite Medical Board, is amended by revising Code Section 43-34-15, relating95
S. B. 30 (SUB)
- 4 - 25 LC 52 0854S
to prohibition on certain therapies and procedures for treatment of gender dysphoria in96
minors, regulations, exceptions, and accountability, as follows:97
"43-34-15.98
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:99
(1) 'Hormone therapy' means therapy that adds, blocks, or removes hormones for the100
purpose of assisting a minor with attempting to alter such minor's sex or to alter the101
appearance of and affirm such minor's perception of his or her sex if such appearance and102
perception are inconsistent with such minor's sex. Such term includes, but is not limited103
to, the provision of supraphysiologic estrogen or progesterone to a minor who is a male104
or supraphysiologic testosterone to a minor who is a female, whether such hormones are105
biological, bioidentical, or synthetic.106
(2) 'Puberty-blocking medication' means medication, whether biological, bioidentical,107
or synthetic, used to delay or suppress pubertal development in a minor for the purpose108
of assisting such minor with attempting to alter such minor's sex or to alter the109
appearance of and affirm such minor's perception of his or her sex if such appearance and110
perception are inconsistent with such minor's sex. Such term includes111
gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues or other synthetic drugs used in males to stop112
luteinizing hormone secretion, and therefore testosterone production, and synthetic drugs113
used in females to stop the production of estrogen and progesterone.114
(3) 'Sex' means the biological state of being male or female, in the context of115
reproductive potential or capacity, based on an individual's sex organs, chromosomes,116
naturally occurring sex hormones, gonads, and internal and external genitalia present at117
birth, including secondary sex characteristics.118
(4) 'Sex reassignment surgery' means any surgical procedure that seeks to surgically alter119
or remove healthy or nondiseased physical or anatomical characteristics or features that120
are typical for an individual's sex in order to instill or create physiological or anatomical121
characteristics that resemble a sex different from a minor's sex. Such term means genital122
S. B. 30 (SUB)
- 5 - 25 LC 52 0854S
or nongenital surgery performed for the purpose of assisting a minor with attempting to123
alter such minor's sex or to alter the appearance of and affirm such minor's perception of124
his or her sex if such appearance and perception are inconsistent with such minor's sex. 125
Such term includes, but is not limited to, castration, clitorectomy, clitoroplasty,126
hysterectomy, mammoplasty, mastectomy, metoidioplasty, oophorectomy, orchiectomy,127
penectomy, phalloplasty, vaginectomy, vaginoplasty, vasectomy, and vulvoplasty.128
(a)(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) (c) of this Code section, the129
following irreversible procedures and therapies performed on a minor for the treatment of130
gender dysphoria are prohibited irreversible or reversible treatments shall not be performed131
on and shall not be prescribed or administered to a minor by a physician if such procedure132
or treatment is performed, prescribed, or administered for the purpose of attempting to alter133
the appearance of and affirm such minor's perception of his or her sex if such appearance134
and perception are inconsistent with such minor's sex in this state:135
(1) Sex reassignment surgeries, or any other surgical procedures, that are performed for136
the purpose of altering primary or secondary sexual sex characteristics; and137
(2) Hormone replacement therapies that are prescribed or administered for the purpose138
of altering primary or secondary sex characteristics; or139
(3) Puberty-blocking medications that are prescribed or administered for the purpose of140
delaying or suppressing puberty; provided, however, that puberty-blocking medications141
may be prescribed or administered to a minor if:142
(A) Such minor has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria by two independent143
behavioral health professionals, including one licensed psychiatrist and one licensed144
psychiatrist or psychologist;145
(B) The prescribing physician is a licensed physician who is board certified in146
pediatrics and board certified in either pediatric endocrinology or adolescent medicine147
and, prior to prescribing or administering any puberty-blocking medications, has148
S. B. 30 (SUB)
- 6 - 25 LC 52 0854S
conducted a comprehensive assessment of such minor's medical history, mental health,149
and any underlying conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder;150
(C) All parents or legal guardians who have the legal authority to make such decisions151
on such minor's behalf provide written informed consent acknowledging the potential152
risks and benefits of and alternatives to puberty-blocking medications; provided,153
however, that, if such parents or legal guardians do not consent to the prescription or154
administration of puberty-blocking medications to such minor and resolution is not155
provided in a parenting plan, either party may petition a court of competent jurisdiction156
to determine what is in the best interest of such minor and such court order shall be157
provided to the prescribing physician;158
(D) The prescribing physician submits an annual treatment progress report to the159
Georgia Composite Medical Board for review; and160
(E) Such minor undergoes quarterly psychological counseling throughout the course161
of such treatment.162
(b)(c) The board shall adopt rules and regulations regarding the prohibitions contained in163
subsection (a) (b) of this Code section, which shall contain limited exceptions for:164
(1) Treatments for medical conditions other than gender dysphoria or for the purpose of165
sex reassignment where such treatments are deemed medically necessary;166
(2) Treatments for individuals born with a medically verifiable disorder of sex167
development, including individuals born with ambiguous genitalia or chromosomal168
abnormalities resulting in ambiguity regarding the individual's biological sex;169
(3) Treatments for individuals with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome; and170
(4) Continued treatment of minors who are, prior to July 1, 2023, being treated with171
irreversible hormone replacement therapies;172
(5) Continued treatment of minors who are, prior to July 1, 2025, being treated with173
puberty-blocking medications; provided, however, that the conditions provided for in174
S. B. 30 (SUB)
- 7 - 25 LC 52 0854S
subparagraphs (b)(3)(A) and (b)(3)(B) of this Code section shall not be required to be175
satisfied; and176
(6) Other treatments consistent with the provisions of this Code section.177
(c)(d) A licensed physician who violates this Code section shall be held administratively178
accountable to the board for such violation.179
(e) A minor's parent or legal guardian who has the legal authority to consent to medical180
treatment on behalf of such minor may bring a civil action against a physician who181
performed, prescribed, or administered a procedure or treatment on such minor in violation182
of this Code section, provided that such civil action shall be brought within two years of183
the date on which the violation occurred. A physician shall not be subject to civil liability184
under this Code section for prescribing or administering puberty-blocking medications in185
accordance with the conditions provided for in subparagraphs (b)(3)(A) through (b)(3)(E)186
of this Code section."187
SECTION 3.188
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.189
S. B. 30 (SUB)
- 8 -