The legislation would prohibit doctors from stopping healthy puberty, prescribing cross-sex hormones, or preforming irreversible genital surgery on children

PIERRE, SD (January 17, 2023) – Today, FHA Action joined with a large group of legislators, non-profit leaders, and concerned citizens to announce the introduction of Representative Bethany Soye’s “Help Not Harm” legislation. The announcement comes shortly after the “Midwest Gender Identity Summit” in Sioux Falls, an event hosted by Sanford Health.

Executive Director Norman Woods issued the following statement:

“It’s time for us to stop experimenting on kid’s bodies. We have been perpetuating the dangerous lie that through medical intervention, we can change a person’s sex. This harmful idea, and the industry profiting from it, are leaving a trail of broken bodies in their wake.”

Representative Soye, the legislative sponsor of the bill, issued the following statement:

“Healthcare providers in South Dakota are becoming increasingly bold about the experimental treatments and sterilizing procedures being performed on children in our state. Now is the time to protect our youth. We care deeply about children struggling with their identities and want to provide them with true meaningful help and healing, not permanent bodily harm. That’s why I am introducing the Help not Harm Act.”

To learn more about the legislation, visit HelpNotHarmSD.com.

Background:

The bill does the following:

• Makes it illegal to perform/prescribe “gender transition” surgeries, cross-sex hormones, and puberty blockers to minor children.
• Provides a pathway for someone to collect damages later in life if they are harmed.
• Subjects doctors to review by the medical board for Unprofessional Conduct if they perform the surgeries or prescribe the puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones.

The bill will be assigned to a House committee and then a hearing on the bill will be held this legislative session.

Media contact:

Norman Woods, 605-939-8006, Norman@familyheritagealliance.org