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HB 679

Health Occupations - Cross-Sex Hormone Therapy for Minors

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Adams and 11 co-sponsors

HB 679 restricts cross-sex hormone therapy for minors in Maryland through unspecified age limits, consent requirements, or medical procedures under debate.

Hearing 2/18 at 1:30 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 679

Legislative bill overview

HB 679 proposes restrictions on cross-sex hormone therapy for minors in Maryland, likely establishing age limits, consent requirements, or procedural safeguards for transgender youth receiving hormone treatments. The bill has been assigned to the Health committee and hearings are scheduled for February 18, 2026.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects healthcare access for transgender and gender non-conforming minors in Maryland. The outcome will influence whether young people can access medical care that major medical organizations (including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics) recognize as appropriate when medically necessary, while also reflecting broader national debates about parental authority, medical decision-making for minors, and government regulation of healthcare.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical standards vs. legislative override: Whether lawmakers should establish clinical restrictions that may differ from recommendations by pediatric endocrinologists and other medical specialists who typically manage these cases
  • Age of consent and parental authority: Disagreement over appropriate ages for minors to consent to treatment, parental notification/approval requirements, and who ultimately decides medical care for youth
  • Scope and safety: Questions about whether restrictions are narrowly tailored to specific concerns (like irreversibility) or broadly limit access, and what evidence supports particular age thresholds or procedural requirements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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