The ACLU of South Dakota is opposing a house bill that would ban doctors from performing gender-transition operations and treatment of minors.

A bill introduced to the Republican-dominated Legislature would make it a felony for doctors to perform surgeries or administer hormone therapy to help minors change gender.

Rep. Fred Deutsch, the Republican who introduced the bill, called the proposed a “pause button” for minors considering gender-transition operations.

In a statement, the ACLU of South Dakota says HB 1057 is continuing a streak of discrimination of transgender youth in the state.

“Transgender kids, like all kids, deserve a chance to experience joy, to learn in a safe environment, to get the health care that they need, and to survive into adulthood,” said Libby Skarin, policy director for the ACLU of South Dakota. “When the government proposes laws that would stigmatize them and undermine their care, they lose those opportunities.”

The proposed law would not apply to children born with ambiguous or conflicting genitalia.