Arizona House Considers Bill Making Child Gender Reassignment Grounds For Medical Malpractice
By Matthew Holloway |
Earlier this month, the Arizona Senate advanced legislation that would impose “civil liability on health care professionals or physicians relating to gender transition or detransition procedures provided to minors.”
The bill, SB 1586, which was introduced by Arizona Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp, (R-LD-29) would bring about legal protections for children and teens who have been subjected to so-called ‘gender transition procedures’ and suffered serious consequences of the alleged ‘treatment’ later in life. It would also set grounds for medical malpractice lawsuits to follow.
SB 1586 was passed in the Senate on in early March along party lines. It was given its first and second reading in the House of Representatives on the 12th and 13th.
In a statement following the bill’s Senate passage, Sen. Shamp said, “We have heard many tragic stories about young boys and girls who have submitted to life-altering procedures to change their gender – only to experience severe repercussions later on when they mature.”
She continued, “While Arizona law is clear against these types of procedures, there is more we as lawmakers can do to deter physicians and providers from entertaining any of the illegal and immoral operations that are ravaging our young people. Republicans again have shown their willingness to do what is necessary to stop the harmful mutilation of our children’s bodies, and we will continue to fight on behalf of our precious sons and daughters until these inhumane and ungodly practices are abolished. If there is nothing wrong with these procedures, then this policy won’t apply.”
Shamp also highlighted the bill in a recent release with a vow to implement a “Make Arizona Healthy Again” agenda.
Sharing AZ Senate Republicans video of the bill’s passage, Shamp simply stated “Do no harm!,” citing the Hippocratic Oath taken by all doctors.
If enacted, the bill would set “the grounds for which a medical malpractice action may be brought forward,” adding that, “a health care professional or physician who provides or provided a minor with a gender transition procedure is strictly and personally liable for all costs associated with subsequent detransition procedures sought by the minor within 25 years after the commencement of a gender transition procedure.”
The bill would also allow victims and their families to bring a civil action lawsuit for, “a) declaratory or injunctive relief; b) compensatory damages, including pain and suffering, loss of reputation, loss of income and loss of consortium, including the loss of the expectation of sharing parenthood; c) punitive damages; d) attorney fees and costs; and e) any other appropriate relief.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.