Governor Lee Signs Law Prohibiting Physicians From Questioning Minors About Gender Ideology

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Tennessee Conservative News Staff –

Governor Bill Lee has signed legislation that would set strict guidelines for physicians asking minors questions related to gender ideology, making it Tennessee law.

The new legislation stipulates 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 does still make an allowance for minors to ask questions or initiate discussion without parents’ presence.

Additionally, exceptions would 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.

State Representative Aron Maberry (R-Clarksville-D68) drafted the legislation 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 parent was present.

After confronting the practice and learning many of the gender-related questions were requirements of insurance companies, the legislation was written to handle both providers and insurers simultaneously.

The bill also says that health insurance 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.

The new law will go into effect on July 1.