Lawmakers in Wyoming’s state Senate have passed a bill that would ban child sex-change surgeries and other life-altering transgender treatments.
Senate File 144, introduced by state Senator Anthony Bouchard, seeks to outlaw so-called “gender-affirming care” which includes surgically removing parts of a child’s body as well as the use of hormonal therapy and puberty blockers on children.
The bill is expected to also pass in the GOP-led state House.
Republicans control 57 of 62 districts.
The bill passed in the Senate with testimony from Luka Hein.
Hein, a 21-year-old woman, shared her story of a medical gender transition when she was younger, according to the Daily Caller.
Bouchard announced the introduction of the bill on Twitter.
“I am introducing Chloe’s Law in WY. Legislation to make childhood mutilation illegal,” Bouchard said.
“Chloe’s bravery inspired me to take action.
“It is fitting to name the bill after her.”
I am introducing Chloe's Law in WY. Legislation to make childhood mutilation illegal. @ChoooCole Chloe's bravery inspired me to take action. It is fitting to name the bill after her. pic.twitter.com/YhLy4CAYmK
— Senator Anthony Bouchard (@AnthonyBouchard) January 19, 2023
Chloe’s Law bans “physicians from performing procedures for children related to gender transitioning and gender reassignment.”
If such procedures are performed, it would be “grounds for suspension or revocation of a physician’s or health care provider’s license.”
The legislation also prohibits “insurance coverage for children for gender transitioning and reassignment procedures.”
Chloe Cole, the teenage namesake of the law, made international news after testifying before California lawmakers about her gender transition, saying she was encouraged to ignore concerns about puberty blockers and hormones.
Cole said that her parents were threatened with the idea of their child committing suicide as a reason to move forward with the procedures.
“This is all wrong,” Cole told Glenn Beck.
“I regret every single step, and this shouldn’t have happened.”
Luka Hein received a double mastectomy and hormonal treatment at just 16 years old.
She says she was manipulated by doctors and nurses who told her she would be at a high risk of suicide if she did not undergo the surgeries.
Hein said the surgeries did not fix her mental health problems.
“There was nothing wrong with my body; I was just a teenager that was uncomfortable, and instead I was pushed down a path that taught me that growing up was a disease that needed to be cured with surgery and medicine,” Hein told the Wyoming legislators.
If passed, the act would come into effect on July 1, 2023.
