A bill prohibiting certain forms of gender affirming health care for adolescents passed its first test in the South Dakota Senate.
House Bill 1080 prevents minors from accessing certain forms of medication that can delay puberty. It also prohibits certain forms of surgeries.
Proponents say the state must protect underage individuals.
Several South Dakota doctors and physicians, as well as South Dakota healthcare organizations, oppose the legislation. They say the bill allows government intrusion on the doctor-patient relationship.
The bill breezed through the South Dakota House, though its path through the more moderate Senate was less certain. On Wednesday, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee advanced the bill four votes to two.
It now heads to the Senate floor. Gov. Kristi Noem has signaled support for the legislation.
