Protecting Children From Experimentation Act of 2023
Impact
If enacted, HB3328 would significantly impact current practices surrounding the treatment of gender dysphoria among minors in the United States. The prohibition outlined in this bill would prevent healthcare providers from administering any hormone blockers or performing gender-related surgeries on individuals under the age of 18. The repercussions of this bill could lead to a reduction in healthcare options for transgender youths, which advocates argue could exacerbate mental health issues and feelings of dysphoria among affected individuals. By removing these medical options, the bill aims to reflect a governmental position on the appropriateness of gender transition procedures for youthful populations.
Summary
House Bill 3328, titled the 'Protecting Children From Experimentation Act of 2023', seeks to amend chapter 110 of title 18 of the United States Code to prohibit gender transition procedures being performed on minors. The bill's primary objective is to impose penalties on healthcare professionals who knowingly perform or refer minors for gender transition interventions, which could include hormonal treatments or surgery aimed at altering or removing biological characteristics. The bill prescribes fines and potential imprisonment for up to five years for offenders, highlighting the government's stance on safeguarding minors from undergoing such medical procedures.
Contention
The proposal has sparked considerable debate among legislators and advocacy groups. Proponents argue that it protects minors from irreversible medical decisions that they may not fully understand, framing it as a necessary measure to shield children from what they term as 'experimentation'. Critics, however, contend that the bill undermines medical autonomy and could push vulnerable youth further into psychological distress by stripping away supportive healthcare options. The tensions surrounding HB3328 touch upon broader societal issues regarding gender identity, healthcare ethics, and parental rights in medical decision-making processes.
No Tax Breaks for Radical Corporate Activism Act This bill disallows a business expense tax deduction for any reimbursement paid by an employer to an employee for travel expenses to obtain an abortion, or for the costs of any gender transition procedure for the employee's minor child.