Purpose of the Bill

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

Main Provisions

1. Prohibition on Gender-Affirming Medical Care:

   • Healthcare providers are not allowed to provide gender-affirming medical care to individuals under the age of 18. This includes hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and gender reassignment surgery.
   • The use of public funds, such as medical assistance programs, for gender-affirming care for minors, is prohibited.

2. Exceptions to the Prohibition:

   • Treatment is allowed for diagnosed medical conditions not related to gender identity, such as precocious puberty.
   • Mental health counseling or therapy is permitted as long as it does not involve medical interventions and does not encourage a gender identity different from the individual's biological sex.
   • Medical interventions are allowed for minors with intersex conditions if deemed medically necessary and not intended to affirm a different gender identity.

3. Penalties for Violations:

   • Healthcare providers who violate the bill’s provisions may face a civil fine of at least $500,000, revocation of their professional license, and imprisonment for up to ten years.
   • Providers are also subject to civil action for damages by the minor's legal guardian.

4. Enforcement and Reporting:

   • The Minnesota Department of Health is responsible for investigating alleged violations.
   • Citizens can report suspected violations through a confidential mechanism.

5. Severability Clause:

   • If any part of the bill is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions continue to apply.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new legal restrictions on medical practices involving minors' gender identity care, which are not currently specified in existing Minnesota laws. It sets forth new penalties, enforcement mechanisms, and expands the definition of prohibited medical interventions.

Relevant Terms

• Gender-affirming care
• Hormone therapy
• Puberty blockers
• Gender reassignment surgery
• Biological sex
• Intersex condition
• Professional license revocation
• Civil fine