Healthcare providers will be prohibited from treating a child whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child’s sex if Senate Bill 63, the Help Not Harm Act” becomes law over Governor Kelly’s expected veto.
The Kansas Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority 32-8.
The Kansas House followed by approving the bill 83-35, one short of the 2/3 needed to override a veto. However, of the seven lawmakers who didn’t vote, four are Republicans. Governor Kelly has twice vetoed similar bills, and Republican supermajorities failed in their override attempts, but the GOP picked up a handful of seats in each chamber in the November elections, making the outcome again uncertain.
Among other provisions, SB 63:
- Authorizes a civil cause of action against healthcare providers for providing such treatments
- Restricts use of state funds to promote gender transitioning
- Prohibits professional liability insurance from covering damages for healthcare providers that provide gender transition treatment to children
- Requires professional discipline against a healthcare provider who performs such treatments
- Adds violation of the act to the definition of unprofessional conduct for physicians
Senate President Ty Masterson spoke after the bill’s passage and lauded the efforts of many to protect children:
“Today, a supermajority of the Kansas Senate took a firm stand in support of helping and not harming children by making it clear that transgender ideology and the mutilation of minors is no longer legal in Kansas. The credit for this victory goes to the courageous men and women who have spoken out against the harm these procedures are causing our children.
“The Senate expedited a vote so as to send the Help Harm Not Act to the House so they swiftly pass it and send it to the governor’s desk. Last year, she sadly chose to veto the bill.
“It is always our hope that the governor will join us and let this bill become law. If not, we stand ready to swiftly override her veto and put an end to this extreme practice within our borders, once and for all.”
House Speaker Dan Hawkins urged the Governor to join the majority in the country banning gender-affirming treatment by approving the Help Not Harm Act:
“Today, Kansas moved one step closer to protecting Kansas minors- joining 26 other states and multiple other countries who have already adopted similar common-sense protections. My hope is that, upon reviewing the newly emerging data and thought on these treatments in minor children, the Governor reverses course from last year’s veto and signs the Help Not Harm Act into law.”
David Hicks – The Sentinel
David Hicks grew up in southern Missouri and graduated from Mizzou with a degree in political science. He has worked as a congressional staffer, broadcaster, government bureaucrat, columnist, campaign worker, and small business owner. He and his wife live in Bonner Springs.
