Missouri bans transgender medical treatment for minors

Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed a legislative package into law Wednesday concerning two of the hottest issues in the transgender debate: sports and gender reassignment treatment for minors.

Against treatment of minors

The Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act prevents gender reassignment surgeries and the prescription of gender transition drugs for those under 18.

In addition, the rule prohibits the state's Medicaid program from funding gender transition surgeries, hormone treatments and puberty blockers.

Medical treatment for individuals in prisons, jails and penitentiaries will also not include gender transition surgeries.

Missouri SB49 by Santiago Adolfo Ospital

With this new law, Missouri joins the nearly 20 states that have enacted laws against gender transition treatments for minors.

Women's sports

Educational institutions may not allow trans athletes to participate in girls' sports. This has been established in the second bill approved this week in Missouri, which also specifies that the birth certificate will be the key document to determine in which category children will be able to compete.

"Women and girls deserve and have fought for an equal opportunity to succeed," the governor said after signing SB 39. He continued, "With this legislation today, we stand up to the nonsense and stand with them as they take back their sport competitions."

Private, public and charter schools will lose state aid if they violate these regulations. Both students and their guardians may go to court in case of non-compliance and request injunctive relief.

Missouri SB39 by Santiago Adolfo Ospital

More and more female athletes have come out against transgender participation in women's sports. The new Missouri law points out that there is a notable disparity in the athletic performance of female students and their male counterparts.