Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Having passed the Senate on Thursday, a bill requiring parents to be physically present and give explicit consent to healthcare providers before they ask minors any questions about gender ideology will now become Tennessee law.
HB1665/SB1664 was inspired by Rep. Aron Maberry (R-Clarksville-District 68) after his teenage daughter had an uncomfortable experience during a routine checkup, with doctors asking her several questions about being comfortable in her own body and gender while neither patient was present.
After confronting the practice and learning many of the gender-related questions were requirements of insurance companies, he developed the legislation to handle both providers and insurers simultaneously.
The bill states that healthcare providers would be prohibited from asking, both verbally or in written form, any questions about gender identity, gender confusion, or gender dysphoria, including whether the minor feels “normal” in their body or believes they are the correct gender, unless a child’s parent is physically present, fully informed, and gives written consent to the questions.
It would still allow a child to prompt a discussion or initiate questions to a provider about gender ideology or issues, but providers could not be the instigators without a parent’s presence and consent.
Exceptions would only be allowed if a gender identity question is asked by a provider “directly related to the diagnoses or treatment of a specific medical or psychological condition currently being evaluated” or the provider reasonably believes the minor is a victim of trafficking, brutality, abuse, or neglect to determine whether the provider must make a report per state law.
Additionally, the bill says a health issuance providers cannot require a healthcare provider or facility to ask any questions about gender identity topics as a condition of payment, credentialing, quality scoring, compliance, or participation.
After the Senate conformed to the House version of the bill during Thursday’s, a Democrat opposed the bill, calling it “unnecessary”, but no other discussion on the bill was had before the vote was taken. SB1664 passed 27-6 along party lines.
As the House already passed its version earlier in the week 72-21, also along party lines, the bill will now be enrolled into a single piece of legislation and sent on to Gov. Bill Lee for his signature, officially making the bill state law.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Good!!