Chloe Cole Act of 2026
Rep. Onder Introduces the Chloe Cole Act to Allow Lawsuits Over Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill allows people who received gender-affirming medical care as children to sue the doctors or hospitals that provided it. This includes treatments like puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries intended to change a person's physical appearance to match their gender identity.
- Parents or the individuals themselves could seek money for the cost of reversing the treatments, as well as for emotional distress and pain. For treatments happening after the law passes, medical providers would be held strictly liable, meaning they are responsible for damages if the treatment occurred.
- The bill gives people a long time to file these lawsuits. A person could sue until they are 43 years old (25 years after their 18th birthday), or within four years of starting medical treatments to reverse their transition, whichever comes later.
- Medical providers would not be allowed to have patients sign waivers to avoid these lawsuits. The bill also says that if there is any confusion about the law, courts should side against the medical professional or hospital.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
This bill directly targets gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth by creating a federal right to sue providers. It could effectively end access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgical procedures for minors across the country, as healthcare providers may stop offering these treatments due to the threat of strict liability and lawsuits spanning decades. Transgender youth and their families would lose access to care that major medical organizations currently recommend.
Disabilities
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
6 articles
Rep. Kennedy is sponsoring a bill to limit gender-related treatments for teens nationwide
Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah) is co-sponsoring the 'Chloe Cole Act,' which allows patients who received gender-affirming care as minors to sue providers for damages. The bill extends the statute of limitations to 25 years after the patient turns 18 and aims to have a 'chilling effect' on providers.
EXPLAINER: Protecting children through the 2026 Chloe Cole Act
The Chloe Cole Act of 2026, reintroduced by Rep. Bob Onder, prohibits gender transition procedures for minors. It grants parents and children the right to sue any healthcare professional or clinic involved, with a statute of limitations lasting until the individual is 43 years old.
Rep. Bob Onder Introduces the Chloe Cole Act to Protect Kids From 'Gender-Affirming' Procedures
Missouri Rep. Bob Onder announced the federal Chloe Cole Act, which would outlaw gender-related medical procedures for minors. The bill establishes strict liability for providers and allows families to seek compensation for medical expenses and emotional distress caused by these treatments.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Chloe Cole Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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