Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) signed the “Help Not Harm” bill into law on Monday, effectively banning certain medical and surgical interventions, such as puberty blockers and genital surgery, for trans youth.
The new law, which takes effect July 1, prohibits health care providers from violating the ban or they risk having their medical license revoked, and possible legal action. The state Senate approved the bill on Feb. 9.
“South Dakota’s kids are our future. With this legislation, we are protecting kids from harmful, permanent medical procedures,” Noem said in a statement. “I will always stand up for the next generation of South Dakotans.”
According to the text of the bill, HB 1080 prohibits health care professionals from prescribing or administering certain medical and surgical interventions for minors to attempt to alter their appearance or perception of their sex.
These interventions include prescribing drugs to delay puberty and administering hormones in amounts greater than what is typically produced endogenously in a healthy individual of the same age and sex, such as testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone.
