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

Texas House Bill 3431, introduced in 2025, aims to prohibit medical professionals from providing certain gender-transitioning procedures and treatments to minors. Specifically, the bill seeks to: 1. Ban surgeries that sterilize minors, such as castration, vasectomy, hysterectomy, and others. 2. Prohibit mastectomies for minors. 3. Forbid the prescription or administration of puberty blockers and hormone therapies that induce infertility. 4. Prevent the removal of healthy body parts or tissues in minors for gender-transitioning purposes. Additionally, the bill proposes criminal penalties for healthcare providers who violate these prohibitions.

Supporters of HB3431 argue that the bill is necessary to protect minors from making irreversible medical decisions regarding gender transition. They believe that children and adolescents may not have the maturity to fully understand the long-term consequences of such procedures. Proponents also contend that the bill safeguards parental rights and ensures that medical interventions are approached with caution, prioritizing the well-being of minors.

Opponents of HB3431 argue that the bill infringes on the rights of transgender minors to access necessary medical care. They contend that gender-affirming treatments are supported by major medical organizations and are crucial for the mental health and well-being of transgender youth. Critics also express concern that the bill could lead to increased stigma and discrimination against transgender individuals and may result in negative mental health outcomes for affected minors.