Last week, the state of Arkansas became the first state in the nation to effectively ban gender-affirming care for transgender and gender diverse youth. The law, H.B. 1570, prohibits youth under the age of 18 from receiving transitional or puberty-blocking hormones and surgery, and allows private insurers to refuse gender-affirming care. The law has no provision for youth who are currently receiving gender-affirming care. It also exposes medical providers to potential lawsuits and loss of licensure for any referral for or provision of gender-affirming care to youth under the age of 18.
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Suggested citation: Jordan Blair Woods, Arkansas Passes Sweeping and Draconian Law Targeting Transgender Youth, JURIST – Academic Commentary, April 12, 2021, https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2021/04/jordan-blair-woods-arkansas-law-targets-transgender-youth/. This article was prepared for publication by Heidi Johnson, a JURIST assistant editor. Please direct any questions or comments to her at commentary@jurist.org+read more
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