Republican Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a bill Tuesday night that bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth and provides criminal penalties.
House Bill 71 also stipulates that physicians who provide gender-affirming healthcare can face felony charges and upon conviction a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.
The Associated Press reported that the law, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024, makes it a felony to provide hormones, puberty blockers or other gender-affirming care to people under age 18.
Opponents of the legislation have warned it will likely increase suicide rates among teens, but proponents of the bill said it was necessary to “protect children” from medical or surgical treatments for gender dysphoria.