Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to prohibit the provision of gender-affirming medical care and certain types of counseling to minors in Minnesota. It establishes penalties for health care providers who violate these prohibitions.

Main Provisions

• Definitions:

  • "Gender-affirming care" refers to medical or surgical interventions like hormone therapy or surgery intended to affirm a gender identity that differs from an individual's biological sex assigned at birth.
  • "Minor" is defined as anyone under 18 years old.
  • The bill clarifies terms like "health care provider," "biological sex," and "intersex condition."

• Prohibitions:

  • Health care providers are prohibited from delivering gender-affirming care to minors.
  • Public funds cannot be used to cover gender-affirming care for minors.
  • Exceptions are allowed for treating diagnosed medical conditions unrelated to gender identity, certain types of mental health counseling, and necessary interventions for intersex conditions as long as they are not intended to affirm a different gender identity.

• Penalties:

  • Violations result in a minimum civil fine of $500,000 per infraction.
  • Violators may have their medical licenses revoked and face imprisonment for up to ten years.
  • Health care providers could also be subjected to civil lawsuits from the minor’s legal guardian.

• Enforcement:

  • The Minnesota Department of Health will investigate alleged violations, and a confidential mechanism for reporting such violations will be established.

• Severability:

  • If any part of the bill is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new chapter (Chapter 144) to Minnesota Statutes, marking a significant legal shift in how gender-affirming care is regulated for minors in the state. It creates severe penalties for health care providers that diverge from current medical practice regarding gender identity.

Relevant Terms

• Gender-affirming care
• Biological sex
• Intersex condition
• Minors
• Health care providers
• Public funds prohibition
• Civil penalties
• Medical license revocation