HCS HBs 35, 1081, 1038 & 1016 Billington, Hardy Committee
HCS HBs 35, 1081, 1038 & 1016 -- GENDER TRANSITION PROCEDURES
SPONSOR: Billington
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Emerging Issues by a vote of 10 to 4. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules-Legislative by a vote of 7 to 3.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 35.
Currently, a health care provider must not knowingly prescribe or administer cross-sex hormones or puberty blocking drugs for the purpose of a gender transition for any individual under 18 years of age.
This bill specifies that after March 1, 2026, prescriptions for cross-sex hormones or puberty-blocking drugs that were given to individuals under 18 years old for the purpose of assisting the individual with a gender transition prior to August 28, 2023, will no longer be considered valid.
The bill repeals the expiration clause for the related subsection.
This bill is the same as HB 1038 (2025).
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that international studies have concluded that gender transitional drugs and medical procedures are not only improper, but incredibly harmful to children. Supporters further say that families have been lied to about best medical practices and overall health, because these drugs and procedures are at best experimental, and are basically offering children lifelong health problems. As a result, puberty blockers have been banned around the world.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Billington; Jamie Reed; Timothy Faber; Dr. Guillermo Villa Trueba, Missouri Catholic Conference; Josephine Glaser, Mo American Academy Of Medical Ethics; Josephine Glaser, Md, Faafp; Bev Ehlen; Bev Ehlen, Liberty Link Missouri; James Harris, Do No Harm Action.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that gender affirming care has moved forward by leaps and bounds over time. Opponents further say that the path towards medical transition is long and arduous, but does not allow for the type of mutilation that is often claimed. There are a number of recommended steps in the process that families follow, including several layers of consent to the various procedures and medications. Opponents also say that gender affirming care has saved lives, and that to deny such care is the same as denying other necessary medical interventions. Gender affirming care is a time sensitive issue, because if the medical profession does not act, the child is at risk of suicidal ideation.
Testifying in person against the bill were Nicolas Ross; Ariella Allen; Cammie Storm; Cherie Martin; Dr. Sarah Golladay; Jacquelyn Evette Melendez Paterson; Jenni Anne Hickerson; Kate Hopkins; Ky Brunkhorst; Nancy Pollack; Nicholas Joseph Tatum; Stephanie Marie Miller; Barry Buchek; Deborah Crossnoe; Maggie Olivia Edmondson, Abortion Action Missouri; Melisa Fears Henley; David Young, Personal; Garrett Webb, Missouri Chapter Of The American Academy Of Pedatrics; Mandy Hagseth, Missouri Family Health Council; Sarah Schlemeier, American College Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists; Tori Schafer, Aclu Of Missouri; Dani Kahn; Ellie Bledsoe, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, Action; Jacqueline Bardgett, The City Of St. Louis; Jacquelyn Evette Melendez Paterson; Jessica Melendez Paterson; Scott Hammack; Sarah Golladay; Stacy Cay; Kenneth Haller; Ft. Mitch Doyen; May Hall; Amy Hammerman; Amanda Keeney; Ashley Quinn, National Avenue Christian Church (Disciples Of Christ); Ben Greene; Cait Smith, Center For American Progress; Cammie Storm, Just Another Human; Cat Rose; Charlotte Saunders; Corazon Hunter; Cory Dewald; Dakota Allen; Dan Viets, Jd, Mo Civil Liberties Assn; Grey Saunders; Jayden Bennett; Jenni Hickerson; Jenny A Kerr, Ma; Kate Hopkins; Kate Robbins; Kendan Elliott; Landon Patterson; Luke Lindberg; Mark Polzin; Melissa Fears Henley; Michael Walk; Rachel Bray; Robert M. Thies; Samantha Fomera; Sasha Justice; Seania Crowley; Stephanie Miller, West Plains Pride; Willow Benz; Zaria Chaney; Amy Hammerman, National Council Of Jewish Women; Ashley Quinn, National Avenue Christian Church (Disciples Of Christ); Cait Smith, Center For American Progress; Cory Dewald; Dan Viets, Jd, Mo Civil Liberties Assn; Teddy Woldow; Eleanor Desprez; Misha Smith; Rebecca Hormuth; Gillian Maurer; Malcolm Gerhardt; Rev. Meagan Mclaughlin, Christ Lutheran Church; Robert Thies; Melisabeth Johnston; Sharon Dunski Vermont Md; Eury Speir.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say any action taken by the state needs to be done after very careful research and testimony so that the General Assembly fully understands the totality of the issues at hand.
Testifying in person on the bill was Charles Adams.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.