Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, vetoed a bill on Monday that would have banned all gender reassignment surgeries and other treatments for transgender youth in the state, calling the bill an example of government overreach.
The surprising move breaks with the conservative lawmakers who proposed the ban. Hutchinson announced his veto at a news conference with reporters, calling the bill “well-intentioned, but off course,” and explaining that it put the state in a position to override the decisions of doctors and parents. “I must veto House Bill 1570,” Hutchinson said. “I have signed the veto … today, and I have notified the sponsors as well as the leadership of the House and Senate as well.” “If [the bill] becomes law we are