Advocates say that House Bill 465 is the most extreme they've ever seen.

Idaho Doctors Who Treat Trans Kids Could Face Life in Prison Under New Bill

Idaho doctors could face life in prison for treating transgender children under a bill pending in the state’s House.

House Bill 465 would make it a felony for medical practioners to prescribe transgender youth puberty blockers or provide any other form of gender-affirming health care. The bill is the latest in a string of measures across the U.S. targeting transgender youth.

A similar South Dakota bill that would have barred trans kids from accessing gender-affirming care was killed in a state Senate committee hearing on Monday after passing in the state’s House. That bill, House Bill 1057, was viewed as a bellwether for the nation.

Kate Sosin

At last count, Freedom for All Americans is tracking 50 anti-transgender bills pending in state legislatures from Kentucky to Illinois to Arizona.

Ohio lawmakers are also expected to announce a bill barring trans kids from accessing gender-affirming care, according to Equality Ohio.

“Kids have it hard enough without Ohio House Representatives Hood and Dean invading their pediatrician’s appointment,” Equality Ohio executive director Alana Jochum said in a media statement. “Here’s what I know about youth: They have the best environment to thrive when they are supported and can get the health care they need. Instead, this bill promises burden and harassment.”

Idaho is next up on a crusade against trans youth. This bill might be the most extreme. Potential life imprisonment for affirming a trans young person. Tell #IDLeg not to let trans youth die. https://t.co/1NwHL5x2sc — Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) February 11, 2020

Advocates say that Idaho’s HB 465, however, is the most extreme they’ve ever seen. If passed, doctors could face life in prison for following accepted best practices for treating gender dysphoria.

Doctors nationwide often prescribe puberty blockers—which temporarily halt the onset of puberty until a young person is old enough decide if they want to medically transition—to give kids time to navigate gender dysphoria and make decisions about their bodies and identities. Recent research has shown that puberty blockers can lower suicide risks among trans kids by 15%.

LGBTQ advocates say that banning those medical interventions means blocking trans youth from receiving potentially life-saving treatment. But they also warn that such bills harm trans youth because they are forced into activism in order to keep their health care.

Stop it. Stop it now. These bills are so unbelievably harmful. Good grief. https://t.co/nkpww3HPH8 — Libby Skarin (@LibbySkarin) February 12, 2020

Susan Williams, the mother of a transgender 13-year-old, says her son Wyatt recently broke down crying and asked her why the South Dakota legislature didn’t leave trans kids alone. South Dakota’s LGBTQ community has battled a slew of anti-transgender legislation for the past five years.

“[It’s] just a real feeling of being picked on and being targeted each year,” Williams tells NewNowNext. “So we try not talk about it often. I try not to bring it up too much. I don’t want it to overwhelm him.”