Bill To Prohibit Sex Change Procedures, Treatments On Minors One Step Closer To Becoming Tennessee Law

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –

Yesterday, legislation that would effectively make illegal any medical treatments that would permanently change the physical bodies of underage persons who are experiencing gender dysphoria, either through surgery or hormone treatments, moved one step closer to becoming law in the state of Tennessee. 

HB0001 as introduced, prohibits a healthcare provider from performing on a minor or administering to a minor a medical procedure if the performance or administration of the procedure is for the purpose of enabling a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minor’s sex. – Amends TCA Title 28; Title 29; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

During yesterday’s meeting of the Health Subcommittee, Representative William Lamberth (R-District 44-Portland), the sponsor of the bill on the house side, presented his case to the committee on why the legislation is necessary to protect the children of Tennessee. 

Lamberth argued that potential permanent harm due to what could be characterized as unnecessary and abusive treatments, could leave lasting damage that would prohibit any individual exposed from having fully functional lives that would have otherwise been available to them, had their bodies not been altered physically or chemically.

These decisions having been made on the minor child’s behalf, by a parent/s at the behest of a doctor or other health care provider, who incidentally would also profit financially from what would certainly be a lifetime of constant medical intervention, Lamberth stated.

The bill enjoys broad grassroots support; however, some have pointed out specific issues with the bill that need some attention.

The Tennessee Conservative reached out to Gary Humble, Executive Director of grassroots organization Tennessee Stands,  which has lobbied stridently for legislation that resembles HB001 in the past few years, bills that oddly had never seemed to have the same level of support that this new legislation has found in this current session. 

Humble added that if there were any flaws in the legislation, it would be that there are no real criminal consequences for the provider who performed the treatment on the minor child. 

Humble said “the teeth in the bill is supposed to be, we can sanction the licensing of a physician and medical facility that was caught violating this law, but, I have an issue with the fact that we are trying to say it’s illegal to mutilate children, that’s kind of a big deal, but we’re not willing to assess a criminal penalty, we’re not willing to say these doctors are criminals, and I think that should be addressed”

Also in attendance yesterday, was Landon Starbuck,  the President and Founder of the non-profit Freedom Forever, whose goal is to end the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, which Starbuck says is pervasive and grows ever more so by the day.  

The Tennessee Conservative asked Starbuck about the hearing that took place and her thoughts on what transpired, she had this to say; “The highlight from today’s hearing was hearing Chloe Cole’s powerful testimony. As a victim advocate it fills me with so much pride to see people like Chloe take their pain and turn it into power so other kids don’t have to suffer like she did. We won’t stop fighting until these barbaric practices are banned.”

The bill was approved with the amendments presented by its author, Representative William Lamberth and will be heard in full committee at a date yet to be determined.  Four additional amendments were introduced by committee member Bo Mitchell (D-District 50- Nashville Part of Davidson County) but were defeated by the republican majority on the committee. 

HB0001 passed out the House Health subcommittee by voice vote with ‘Ayes’ prevailing. Democrat Bo Mitchell requested to be recorded as voting No.

If the bill makes it through the rest of the legislative process successfully, it will take effect July 1^st, of 2023, the public welfare requiring it.

The Senate version of the bill, SB0001, sponsored by Senator Jack Johnson is on the schedule to be heard by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee today, February 1st.

About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member.  Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty.