Several states are currently advancing Help Not Harm legislation to protect children from harmful and damaging transgender medical interventions.
Over the past few years, multiple states have passed Help Not Harm bills; North Carolina became the 20th state to do so on August 16 last year. These bills prohibit physicians from providing minors with puberty blocking drugs, opposite-sex hormones and surgeries to make them appear more like the opposite sex.
Photo Credit: Family Policy Alliance.
Help Not Harm bills have become a necessary political response to the growing ideology of “transgenderism” that is permanently harming the lives of tens of thousands of young children.
Family Policy Alliance and Alliance Defending Freedom, Focus on the Family-allied conservative Christian organizations, pioneered the measures and first drafted an early form of the legislation in 2017.
Here’s a round-up of Help Not Harm legislation that is pending in several states.
South Carolina
On Jan. 19, the South Carolina House of Representatives passed a Help Not Harm bill (HB 4642) by an overwhelming margin in an 82-23 vote.
Palmetto Family Council, a Focus on the Family-allied organization, issued a statement lauding the House’s action.
“After six hours of robust debate in the House of Representatives, the Help Not Harm bill passed in a bipartisan manner 82-23!” the council said, adding,
This bill will prevent the dangerous and lasting effects of the transgender ideology being thrust upon the children of South Carolina through puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and genital mutilation.
The organization encouraged South Carolinians to contact their state representatives and thank them for protecting children.
After sailing through the House, HB 4642 was referred to the South Carolina Senate’s Committee on Medical Affairs, where it received a favorable report. It now awaits a vote by the full Senate.
Wyoming
The state of Wyoming is close to enacting a Help Not Harm bill (SF 0099) titled “Chloe’s Law.” The bill would allow for the revocation or suspension of the license of a doctor who provides minors with puberty blocking drugs, opposite-sex hormones and surgeries as a part of a “gender transition” plan.
The bill is named after Chloe Cole, a young woman whose body was damaged by transgender medical interventions, who provided testimony in favor of the bill in front of the Senate Labor, Heath & Social Services Committee.
SF 0099 passed overwhelmingly in the Wyoming Senate in a vote of 26-5 on Feb. 27. On Mar. 4, it passed 7-2 through the Wyoming House by a wide 55-6 margin. The bill now awaits Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon’s signature.
Wyoming Family Alliance, a Focus on the Family-allied state family policy council, is supporting SF 0099. The organization said it “supports legislation that eliminates surgeries in Wyoming that will cause children irreparable damage.”
Kansas
The Sunflower State is getting closer to enacting Help Not Harm legislation (SB 233).
The Kansas Senate passed the bill 26-11 on Feb. 23. The Kansas House then passed SB 233 on Mar. 13 with bipartisan support in an 80-40 vote. It now heads back to the Senate for final approval, since the House passed a “substitute” version of the bill.
Last year, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed similar legislation, and she is expected to veto SB 233 this year too.
“You can look back in history and see how I’ve responded in the past, and I really haven’t changed my position,” Gov. Kelly told reporters last week.
It is unclear whether the Kansas Legislature will have enough votes to override the governor’s likely veto this go around.
Kansas Family Voice, a Focus on the Family-allied state family policy council, is supporting SB 233.
“Kansas children deserve help, and not harm, when struggling to accept their biological sex,” said Brittany Jones, director of policy and engagement at Kansas Family Voice.
“We know that there are many individuals who are detransitioning across the country. They are raising the alarm that rushing children into puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and even surgeries have long term consequences and that many children later regret.”
Jones added:
Even the United Kingdom, yesterday, said it would stop providing puberty blockers to children for this purpose.
Kansas children deserve better than these experimental and harmful procedures and medicines. I applaud the state for standing with more than twenty other states in protecting Kansas children.
Every child in every state deserves to be protected from harmful, damaging and permanently sterilizing transgender medical interventions. Please be in prayer that South Carolina, Kansas and Wyoming will soon pass these Help Not Harm bills.
Additionally, you can see if your state has a family policy council, and consider getting involved to help promote legislation that protects life, children and families.
Focus on the Family exists to help families, and that includes help navigating the issues of homosexuality and transgenderism. Focus offers a free, one-time counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. To request a counseling consultation, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) or fill out our Counseling Consultation Request Form.
Related articles and resources:
Counseling Consultation & Referrals
Addressing Gender Identity with Honesty and Compassion
The Journey Back to My True Identity
Transgenderism and Minors: What Does the Research Really Show?
Do Not Fall for the ‘Affirm Them or They Will Die’ Lie
How to Defeat Gender Ideology, Protect Children and End ‘Trans America’
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