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A bill to prohibit gender-affirming medical procedures for minor children is now in effect in Oklahoma following a decision of the federal district court in Tulsa. The judge denied a request for a preliminary injunction saying that the plaintiffs are unlikely to prevail on the merits of their constitutional arguments that the bill violates the 14th Amendment. 

SB 613 authored by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, passed the legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt in May. The law prohibits providing gender-affirming medical procedures to any child under the age of 18. These include medications designed to delay or suppress puberty and surgical procedures that alter or remove physical or anatomical characteristics or features that are typical for the individual’s biological sex.

“The purpose of SB 613 is to protect children from making these life-changing, irreversible medical decisions until they reach some level of maturity," Daniels said in a statement. "The court recognized the state has an interest in protecting the physical and psychological well-being of minors from these protocols, which are not settled science,” Daniels said. “The mental health challenges of gender dysphoria are very real. These young people and their families deserve our support.” 

The bill specifically allows for mental and behavioral health treatment of this condition.

The decision to deny the injunction follows similar decisions in federal courts in Tennessee and Alabama.  The laws of these states have also been upheld by the Sixth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal.

“I am gratified this court acknowledged the nationwide discussion and debate on these issues should be decided in state houses by elected legislatures and not by judges in a courtroom. I am hopeful that the Tenth Circuit will concur,” Daniels said.

Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, served as the House principal author of SB 613.

“Senate Bill 613 was drafted, authored and passed with the sole intention of protecting Oklahoma's most vulnerable population: our children,” Hasenbeck said. “Young people may not fully grasp the significance of the choices they're making at the time and may later face distress over the life-altering changes they underwent as a preteen or teenager. The Legislature must continue to help protect kids from rushing into serious decisions that should be made as an adult.”