Sen. Nathan Dahm files bill to prohibit minors from undergoing gender reassignment medical treatment

State Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed a measure that would prohibit any person under the age of 18 from undergoing gender reassignment medical treatment in the state.

“In one of his recent executive orders, Joe Biden directed changes to allow biological men to compete in women’s sports,” Dahm said. “Competing in sports is one thing, but allowing the permanent alteration of a child from their biological sex and DNA has lasting effects. Senate Bill 583 would prohibit any sex-change surgeries or chemicals from being used upon any minor for that purpose.”

The measure states a health care professional who intentionally performs gender reassignment treatment on a person under 18 is subject to professional discipline by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, State Board of Osteopathic Examiners or the applicable health care professional licensing board. Discipline could include suspension or revocation of any license or certificate required to practice medicine in Oklahoma.

Under SB 583, gender reassignment medical treatment means any health care to facilitate the transitioning of a patient’s assigned gender identity on the patient’s birth certificate, to the gender identity experienced and defined by the patient. Treatment does not include behavioral health care services such as mental health counseling or medication to treat depression, anxiety or similar disorders.

“There are children out there suffering, and this bill would allow them to continue to get the counseling or medication they need to deal with depression and other issues,” Dahm said. “However, making an unalterable, life-changing decision at a young and impressionable age has lasting impacts. This bill will ensure those decisions are made after achieving adulthood.”