There is a contentious debate in this country whether it's okay for minors to get permanently life-altering hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery. If you remember Rand Paul's questioning of Dr. Rachel Levine last week — the one where critics called Sen. Paul a "transphobe" — this is what their back-and-forth was about. This new bill from Alabama is sure to add to the fire. The Alabama Senate voted to make hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery for youth a felony.

From CBS News:

The two bills would make it a felony for medical professionals to treat transgender minors under the age of 19 with gender-affirming care. Violators could face up to 10 years in prison or a $15,000 fine.

The bill also requires school staff in the state to disclose to parents that "a minor's perception that his or her gender is inconsistent with his or her sex."

Bill sponsor Senator Shay Shelnutt claims, "Children aren't mature enough to make these decisions on surgeries and drugs. The whole point is to protect kids." According to a report from The Daily Wire, Democrats and activists were reportedly outraged by the passage of the bill.

The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives, which has already approved a bill of its own. It is unclear what Alabama Governor Kay Ivey plans to do when/if a bill hits her desk.

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