Nevada Bill Proposes Protections For Doctors Performing Gender Transition Surgeries On Minors

The lawmakers in Nevada have proposed a legislation, Senate Bill 302, which would create a safe space for doctors performing gender-changing surgeries for minors. Also, it would offer protections to those charged with violating gender modification laws in other states. The bill makes it impossible for healthcare licensing boards to disqualify or punish doctors who perform gender transition surgeries on minors. The proposed law would also prohibit Nevada’s governor from surrendering or arresting the doctors who perform gender transition surgeries and have violated gender modification laws in other states.

The safe space idea is not new. Recently, Minnesota approved similar legislation protecting doctors who conduct gender-changing procedures on minors. The bill is sponsored by five Democrat state senators, and three other Democrat senators co-sponsored it. Many of the sponsors and co-sponsors hold leadership positions within the Nevada legislature.

The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee held a hearing on Wednesday, but they have yet to take action. The committee has until April 14 to act on the bill. Senator James Ohrenschall presented the bill at the hearing, stating that gender-affirming services are medically necessary procedures, and that sex is assigned at birth. Senator Ohrenschall criticized the 11 states that have passed laws banning gender transition procedures for minors.

Doctor John (Rob) Phoenix, who provides gender transition surgeries to minors, testified at the hearing. Phoenix described himself as the leading provider of gender transition procedures to minors and has been doing so since 2015. Phoenix testified that gender transitions were necessary to prevent deaths in gender-dysphoric youth.

The bill is not without controversy. Republicans, such as Senator Jeff Stone, have opposed the legislation by arguing that only those over 18 years old should be able to receive gender transition treatment — not minors.