Arkansas governor vetoes bill banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth News
DarkoStojanovic / Pixabay
Arkansas governor vetoes bill banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson on Monday vetoed a state bill prohibiting medical treatment for transgender youth, calling it “a vast government overreach.”

HB1570, titled the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, bans healthcare professionals from providing gender transition procedures to youth under 18 years old, even with parental consent. Among other treatments, it covers puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgery. The bill also outlaws the use of public funds for gender transition procedures and includes a provision specifically banning the Arkansas Medicaid Program from reimbursing or providing coverage for gender transition procedures for juveniles. Following the House’s approval, the Senate passed the bill late last month.

Further, the bill states that “any referral for or provision of gender transition procedures to an individual under eighteen is unprofessional conduct and is subject to discipline.” As such, physicians who offer such care risk losing their licenses or facing legal challenges under the law.

“The most recent action by the general assembly—while well-intended—is off course, and I must veto HB1570,” said Hutchinson at a press conference.

In a statement, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arkansas applauded the move. “This veto belongs to the thousands of Arkansans who spoke out against this discriminatory bill, especially the young people, parents, and pediatricians who never stopped fighting this anti-trans attack,” said Holly Dickson, ACLU of Arkansas executive director. “Medical decisions should be left up to trans youth, their parents, and their doctor – not politicians or the government.”

Rep. Robin Lunstrum and Sen. Alan Clark, co-sponsors of the SAFE Act, held a press conference following the veto announcement where they expressed disappointment with Hutchinson’s decision. They emphasized the state’s interest in “protecting the health and safety of its citizens, especially vulnerable children.”

Looking forward, the bill heads back to the state legislature, where a simple majority vote could override Hutchinson’s veto.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.