NC Senate Approves Bans on Gender-Reassignment Surgery, Puberty Blockers for Minors

Bill provides 25 year window for civil action to be brought by impacted minors

Raleigh, N.C. — Today, Republicans in the North Carolina Senate passed legislation prohibiting medical professionals from administering puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones and performing gender-reassignment surgeries on minors.

House Bill 808 largely prohibits puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones from being administered to minors and the performance of gender-reassignment surgeries on minors. Limited exceptions are permitted, like if a minor does not have normal sex chromosome structure. Any medical professional who violates the law will have their license revoked. Under this bill, a civil action may be brought within 25 years from when the minor turns 18.

“This bill is about protecting children and teenagers from decisions that have life-changing, permanent impacts,” Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth) said. “For good reason, other countries are taking a second look at how they administer puberty blockers. Regulating these treatments for minors in North Carolina is the appropriate action to take.”

Puberty blockers lack FDA approval for sex-change use, and infertility is a “likely increased risk” with cross-sex hormones. In 2016, the FDA ordered makers of puberty blockers to add a warning about psychiatric problems after several reports of suicidal thoughts in children who were taking them. After allowing puberty blockers and hormones for years, the U.K., Sweden, Finland, Norway, and France are all now urging caution in use for minors. Despite the concerns, children in other states as young as eight years old are being given puberty blockers and sometimes the drugs are being prescribed after the first visit to a doctor.

House Bill 808 does not in any way limit access to mental health services or therapy. Once a minor turns 18, the treatments will be available to those who want them. A recent survey from Washington Post/KFF found that 68% of adults oppose children ages 10–14 having access to puberty-blocking medication under medical supervision. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.