Bill to ban healthcare for transgender youth defeated in La. Senate
House Bill 648, a bill that would have banned gender-affirming care for transgender children in Louisiana was defeated by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee’s vote effectively killing the bill for this legislative session. “The Senate Health and Welfare Committee has chosen to protect Louisiana’s transgender children by rejecting HB 648.
This is a powerful win for transgender children and their families. We lift up and celebrate the incredible families, advocates, providers and lawmakers who worked to stop this dangerous bill that targeted transgender children and stripped rights from their parents,” a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana said in a statement. “The fight to protect the rights of transgender children and their families is far from over.
But make no mistake, as states across the country pass harmful bills that mirror HB 648, today’s committee vote matters, and sends a powerful message that will be heard nationwide.” The committee hearing room was filled to nearly over capacity with trans Louisianians, their supporters and allies.
According to WNNO in New Orleans: The committee killed the bill in a narrow 5-4 vote mostly split along party lines after hours of emotional testimony and contentious debate in the packed room.
