TRANS TEENS TARGETED

North Dakota Makes Gender-Affirming Care for Minors a Crime

Health-care providers risk up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines for performing gender reassignment surgery on a minor.

North Dakota has joined at least 13 other states that have enacted laws banning gender-affirming care for minors. Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill that will immediately make it a crime to give transgender health care to people under the age of 18. Health-care providers risk up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines for performing gender reassignment surgery on a minor. They also face up to 360 days in prison and $3000 in fines for providing puberty blockers to a transgender child. The move continues North Dakota’s assault on trans rights after Burgum signed a law earlier this month banning transgender girls and women from competing in female sports teams.