HB 619-FN is a bill designed to restrict genital gender reassignment surgery for minors under 18 years old in New Hampshire. It argues that informed consent for such surgeries is challenging to obtain and highlights the potential for parental coercion due to the difficult decisions surrounding their child's well-being. The bill defines relevant terms and specifies exceptions for surgeries addressing malformations, malignancies, injuries, or diseases, excluding male circumcision and surgeries for minors with disorders of sex development. Enforcement measures include treating referrals or provisions of such surgeries as unprofessional conduct, subject to discipline, and allowing legal action by affected minors or their parents, with specified statutes of limitations. The bill grants the attorney general enforcement authority and includes a severability clause, with an effective date of January 1, 2025.

The bill also addresses the prohibition of using funds for gender transition procedures and includes provisions related to sex and gender in public schools and the definition of conversion therapy. The Department of Health and Human Services anticipates a reduction in Medicaid funds due to the exclusion of certain services, therapies, and medications, while also noting the potential risk of losing federal matching funds under Medicaid because of unresolved federal law and regulations. The Judicial Branch expects civil proceedings for violations of the new chapter, and the Department of Education does not foresee additional costs for local school districts due to the bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 332-L:1