CV NEWS FEED // South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is set to sign a bill that prohibits puberty blockers and “gender transition” surgery for minors. In addition, the bill bans teachers from concealing a child’s self-identified gender from his or her parents.
The bill, H. 4624, also prohibits any public funding, such as through Medicaid or other government healthcare programs, from being applied to gender transition surgeries or procedures.
House Majority Leader Davey Hiott, R-Pickens, introduced the bill in January, and it was initially approved shortly after.
The Senate then amended the bill to include a section noting that teachers are required to inform parents if their child identifies as a different gender.
The amendment adds that teachers, principals, nurses, counselors or other staff may not:
encourage or coerce a minor to withhold from the minor’s parent or legal guardian the fact that the minor’s perception of his or her gender is inconsistent with his or her sex… or withhold from a minor’s parent or legal guardian information related to the minor’s perception that his or her gender is inconsistent with his or her sex….
Following the amendment, the Senate passed the bill on May 2 in a 28-8 vote. The bill was returned to the House, which voted in approval 67-27 on May 9.
McMaster is expected to sign the bill, as he previously expressed support for it.
According to the South Carolina Daily Gazette, McMaster said of the bill in January, “I think this is a good idea to keep our young people safe and healthy. If they want to make those decisions later when they’re adults, then that’s a different story, but we must protect our young people from irreversible decisions.”
The Daily Gazette reported that upon McMaster signing the bill, any minor who is taking puberty blockers “before Aug. 1 can be gradually taken off them. All prescriptions must cease by Jan. 31, 2025.”
