WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 3431

Relating to prohibitions on the provision to certain children of gender transitioning or reassignment procedures and treatments and gender-affirming therapy and counseling; creating criminal offenses.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Tony Tinderholt

Texas bill criminalizes gender-affirming medical care and therapy for minors, making healthcare providers subject to criminal penalties for treatment provision.

Referred to Public Health
#crimes--miscellaneous(i0200) #genderidentity&expression(s0767) #healthcareproviders(i0387) #minors--crimesagainst(i0532) #minors--health&safety(i0533)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 3431

Legislative bill overview

HB 3431 would prohibit medical professionals from providing gender-affirming medical treatments, surgeries, and mental health counseling to minors in Texas. The bill creates criminal offenses for healthcare providers who violate these prohibitions, with potential penalties including fines and imprisonment.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects healthcare access for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth, potentially criminalizing standard medical practices currently legal under Texas law. It represents a significant shift in state regulation of pediatric medicine and mental health care, with implications for medical licensing, parental rights, and youth health outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical professional authority: Opponents argue the bill inappropriately restricts physician judgment and evidence-based clinical practices endorsed by major medical organizations (AMA, AAP, APA), while supporters contend the state should protect minors from irreversible medical decisions
  • Parental rights vs. state intervention: Disagreement over whether parents have authority to consent to these treatments or whether the state should prohibit them regardless of parental wishes
  • Mental health care scope: Uncertainty about which therapeutic counseling is prohibited, potentially affecting standard gender-exploration conversations with licensed counselors and therapists
  • Constitutional challenges: Likely legal challenges on First Amendment (speech restrictions), Due Process, and Equal Protection grounds, creating litigation costs and uncertainty for healthcare providers

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

Sign in to ask a question.