The Louisiana Senate Health & Welfare Committee has stopped an anti-trans bill aimed at minors, WBRZ News 2 in Baton Rouge has reported. Republican committee chairman Fred Mills joined Democrats on May 24 to kill Louisiana House Bill 648a bill that would have ended gender-affirming care for minors.
The measure failed to make it out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee after a five-to-four vote to defer the bill.
The bill, authored by Republican Rep. Gabe Firment, would have prohibited doctors from performing medical procedures or prescribing medication that alters the appearance of individuals for the purpose of gender dysphoria on individuals under the age of 18.
In a statement that Windy City Times received, Human Rights State Legislative Director and Senior Counsel Cathryn Oakley praised the development. She said, "Thank you to the Louisiana senators who did the right thing today and stopped a harmful ban on age-appropriate, medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth. They heard the voices of transgender kids, their families, and medical experts who bravely shared their stories and chose to treat transgender children with dignity and respect."
See the full press release at www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Louisiana-Senate-Health-Welfare-Committee-kills-bans-on-gender-affirming-care-/75060.html .
Andrew Davis