Senate Bill No. [number], introduced by J. Fuller, revises the offense of endangering the welfare of children by specifically prohibiting certain medical treatments for children under 16 years of age. The bill amends Section 45-5-622 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to include new provisions that make it an offense for any person to knowingly procure or provide treatments aimed at altering a child's appearance or affirming their perception of gender when it is inconsistent with their biological sex. These prohibited treatments include surgical procedures, puberty blockers, and supraphysiologic doses of hormones.

Additionally, the bill establishes that a person convicted of these offenses will face felony charges, with penalties including imprisonment for up to five years and fines up to $10,000. If a child suffers serious bodily injury as a result of these actions, the penalties increase significantly. The bill also includes a delayed effective date, stating that it will come into effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 45-5-622
SB0164_1(1): 45-5-622
SB0164_1(2): 45-5-622
SB0164_1(3): 45-5-622
SB0164_1(4): 45-5-622
SB0164_1(5): 45-5-622
SB0164_1(6): 45-5-622
SB0164_1(7): 45-5-622
SB0164_1(8): 45-5-622
SB0164_1(9): 45-5-622
SB0164_1: 45-5-622
SB0164_2(1): 45-5-622
SB0164_2(2): 45-5-622
SB0164_2(3): 45-5-622
SB0164_2(4): 45-5-622
SB0164_2(5): 45-5-622
SB0164_2(6): 45-5-622
SB0164_2(7): 45-5-622
SB0164_2(8): 45-5-622
SB0164_2: 45-5-622