The proposed legislation would grant courts “temporary emergency jurisdiction over children in this state if they are at risk of or are being subjected to the provision of sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures,” otherwise known as gender-affirming care.
Also, under SB 254, licensed facilities would have to certify that they do not offer these treatments to patients under the age of 18. People who break the law may be charged with a crime.
Additionally on Thursday, the Florida Board of Medicine enacted a rule that bars minors from starting puberty blockers or hormone therapy. Minors who were already receiving the treatment before the date the rule takes effect can continue to do so, although the rule prohibits all minors from receiving gender-affirming operations.
The Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine will enact an identical rule on March 28.