Relating to: prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age.

# Wisconsin Bill Banning Gender Transition Care for Minors Advances

Wisconsin lawmakers have moved closer to enacting a sweeping ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors under 18. Assembly Bill 104, which prohibits health care providers from offering puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender transition surgeries to transgender youth, was placed on the legislative calendar Tuesday, clearing a procedural hurdle toward a final vote.

The bill would make it illegal for doctors to provide, cause, or refer patients for these treatments, with narrow exceptions for intersex conditions and emergency medical situations. If passed, it would also require the state's medical licensing boards to investigate any health care provider accused of violating the restrictions. The measure has already passed both the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate, and observers expect it to reach Governor Tony Evers' desk soon.

The legislation arrives as major Wisconsin health systems have already begun scaling back transgender care for minors. Children's Wisconsin and UW Health announced this year they would halt or pause gender-affirming treatments for patients under 18, citing federal regulatory pressure and funding concerns following a December directive from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

For Milwaukee families with transgender youth, the bill's passage would eliminate access to medical treatments that major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, say can be medically appropriate when carefully supervised. Advocates warn the restrictions could force families to travel out of state for care or leave young people without professional support during a critical period.