The legislation says that if a health care provider administers gender transition procedures to any minor, he or she can be criminally prosecuted for a felony. Health care providers can no longer be prosecuted once the child reaches the age of 45.
The child whom the transition procedures were performed on, their parents, legal guardians, or next friend — another type of guardianship — can file a civil suit against a health care provider who provided the transition, the bill says.
A suit can be brought by the child until he or she turns 45. However, if a parent, guardian, or next friend wishes to bring a suit, they can only do so until the child turns 18.
Violating the law can result in revocation of one’s license to practice medicine.
“I just signed into law a statewide ban on all gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies for children under 18. We must protect our kids!” Stitt, a Republican, tweeted Monday.
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City and Bishop David Konderla of Tulsa are the two bishops in the Sooner State.