Alabama Senate Bill SB5

Alabama 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Public health, prohibits medical procedures on minor children intended to alter apprearance of gender with exceptions, provides for certain disclosures by school officials, establishes criminal penalties

Impact

If passed, SB5 would significantly restrict access to gender-affirming medical treatments for minors in Alabama. It posits that most minors experience a natural alignment with their biological sex as they reach adulthood. Proponents argue that this regulation is necessary to safeguard minors from what they view as irreversible medical interventions lacking rigorous study regarding long-term impacts. The bill could potentially transform how healthcare providers approach treatment for gender-incongruent children and intertwines public health considerations with educational policies.

Summary

Senate Bill 5, known as the Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act (V-CAP), aims to prohibit medical procedures and the provision of medication to minors that are intended to alter their gender appearance or delay puberty. The bill establishes explicit exceptions and mandates that certain information about students' gender identity must be disclosed to parents by educational institutions. Violations of the provisions set forth in the bill would lead to criminal penalties, categorized as a Class C felony.

Contention

The bill has sparked considerable controversy, particularly regarding the balance between protecting minors and parental rights. Supporters of SB5 assert that protecting children from medical procedures that may lead to harmful long-term consequences is a priority. However, opponents criticize the bill for undermining parental involvement in their children's healthcare decisions, arguing that it infringes on the rights of families to make informed choices about treatment. Critics also suggest that the bill's claims about the risks of gender-affirming treatments rely on tenuous evidence and raise moral and ethical questions surrounding the authority of the state over medical practices.