Today, Senator Judy Ward introduced Senate Bill 843, known as the Do No Harm Act, in Harrisburg. The bill aims to protect minors from undergoing irreversible gender transitioning procedures and seeks to prevent state tax dollars from funding such procedures.
“Doctors take an oath to do no harm to those in their care, and sadly some are failing to abide by that promise,” stated Ward. She emphasized the urgency of enacting protections for children: “The longer we as policymakers wait… more and more children will pay the price.”
The proposed legislation would prohibit medical procedures that alter a minor’s hormonal balance or physical appearance unless performed for treating congenital defects, precocious puberty, disease, or physical injury. Additionally, government programs like Medicaid would be barred from covering these procedures.
Ward expressed concern about minors making irreversible decisions: “Children cannot grasp the complexity and consequence of these irreversible medical procedures.” She highlighted the lifelong impact of such decisions on children.
A hearing on this legislation was held by the Senate Majority Policy Committee on April 15 in Altoona. Testimonies were provided by detransitioners, parents, and medical professionals regarding the harm caused by these procedures. More information about the hearing is available at https://policy.pasenategop.com/policy-041525/.
Similar legislative efforts have been seen in states like Tennessee, Ohio, and New Hampshire. Currently, Senate Bill 843 awaits consideration by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
For updates on this legislation and other news from Senator Ward’s office, residents can follow her social media accounts or visit her website at SenatorJudyWard.com.
