Congress·Passed House·H.R. 3492

House Passes Protect Children's Innocence Act, Banning Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

Protect Children’s Innocence Act

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: House Legislation Targets Federal Funding for Minor Gender Transition Care

⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

✓ House

216–211

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

This bill would make it a federal crime to provide gender-affirming medical care to anyone under 18 years old. This includes various surgeries, puberty blockers, and hormone treatments intended to help a minor's body match a gender identity that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.
From policy text
“knowingly performs, or attempts to perform, genital or bodily mutilation on another person who is a minor, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.”
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Doctors or other individuals who perform these procedures or provide these medications could face up to 10 years in prison and significant fines. The law would apply to any case involving travel across state lines, the use of the mail, or medical tools that have moved through interstate commerce.
From policy text
“the defendant transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce any communication relating to or in furtherance of the conduct described in subsection (a) or (b) using any means, channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce or in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means or in manner, including by computer, mail, wire, or electromagnetic transmission”
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The proposal specifically states that mental, behavioral, or emotional health issues do not qualify as a medical necessity for these treatments. This means doctors could not use a diagnosis of gender dysphoria or emotional distress as a legal reason to provide this care to a minor.
From policy text
“the health of a minor does not include-- ``(i) mental, behavioral, or emotional distress; or ``(ii) a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder.”
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There are specific exceptions for children born with certain physical conditions, such as those with ambiguous biological sex traits. It also allows treatments for physical injuries, illnesses, or a condition called precocious puberty where a child begins puberty much earlier than normal.
From policy text
“An individual diagnosed with precocious puberty, to the extent such genital or bodily mutilation or chemical castration is for the purpose of normalizing puberty.”
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While the adults providing the care or transporting a minor for these procedures would face criminal charges, the minors themselves are protected. The bill states that no person under 18 who receives these treatments can be arrested or prosecuted for it.
From policy text
“No person who is chemically castrated or on whom genital or bodily mutilation is performed may be arrested or prosecuted for an offense under this section.”
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HealthcareCivil RightsCriminal Justice

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Political Response

Milestones

6 milestones23 actions

Dec 18, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Dec 17, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Dec 17, 2025House

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 211 (Roll no. 351). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5992-5993)

Dec 17, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 211 (Roll no. 351).

Dec 17, 2025House

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 218 (Roll no. 350).

Vote Results

2 votes

HouseFailedAmendmentDec 17, 2025

On Motion to Recommit

210

218

Democrat

210 – 0 · 3

Republican

0 – 218 · 2

View full roll call

HousePassedPassageDec 17, 2025

On Passage

216

211

Democrat

3 – 207 · 3

Republican

213 – 4 · 3

View full roll call

Related News

2 articles

Fox 5 Atlanta·10 months ago

Marjorie Taylor Greene reintroduces bill to ban gender-transition procedures for minors

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene reintroduced the Protect Children's Innocence Act to make gender-transition procedures for minors a federal crime. The bill seeks to codify an executive order by Donald Trump, prohibiting surgeries and hormone therapies with very limited medical exceptions.

GCN·3 months ago

US House passes legislation to criminalise gender-affirming care for minors

The Bill would criminalise doctors for offering gender-affirming care to minors, with professionals facing up to 10 years in prison. It also prevents federal funds from being used for this care and bans medical schools from teaching subjects related to gender-affirming treatments.

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