[

Lawmakers in West Virginia are in search of to take away the “suicide threat” exemption that permits some households to keep away from restrictions on hormones and gender transition medical interventions for minors.
Final 12 months the state banned medical interventions for minors who determine as “transgender” however stored exemptions open for youth who’re reportedly “suicidal or in danger for suicide.”
In response to a report in The Intelligencer, waivers at present require parental consent and a prognosis of extreme gender dysphoria from two medical professionals, each of whom should present written testimony that the therapy will forestall or restrict potential or precise self-harm. Medical interventions are needed to take action. ,
The report states:
Developing in opposition to a significant legislative deadline subsequent week, lawmakers on the Home Well being and Human Sources Committee raced to advance a invoice to the total Home on Friday that will utterly ban interventions like hormone remedy and puberty blockers. . Gender-affirming surgical procedure, which physicians have testified doesn’t happen within the state, was banned final 12 months.
It’s unclear what the invoice's chances are high of passage. The Home of Delegates handed an identical measure final 12 months, nevertheless it was considerably modified by Republican Senate Majority Chief Tom Takubo, a doctor who has expressed concern concerning the excessive suicide charges for transgender youth.
The committee rejected a proposal by Democrat Del. Mike Pushkin that will have allowed minors who’re already taking hormone remedy or puberty blockers.
The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia has already threatened authorized motion if the modification passes.
BREAKING: Home Well being has superior HB 5297, a blanket ban on medically needed gender-affirming take care of minors.
If this invoice turns into regulation, we’ll see the state in courtroom.
– ACLU of WV (@ACLU_WV) 23 February 2024
“If this invoice turns into regulation, we’ll take the state to courtroom,” the group wrote in an announcement on X.