Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7651

Rep. Onder Introduces the Chloe Cole Act to Allow Lawsuits Over Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

Chloe Cole Act of 2026

19 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

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.

HealthcareCivil RightsCriminal Justice

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

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

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 23, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Feb 23, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Upon enactment

If enacted, the law would immediately allow lawsuits over past and future gender-affirming treatments on minors

Anyone who received these treatments as a child — even years ago — could file a federal lawsuit against their doctors, hospitals, or clinics. Providers would likely stop offering these treatments to minors right away.

Within months of enactment

Healthcare providers begin adjusting practices and policies around gender-affirming care for minors

Hospitals and clinics would likely stop or severely limit puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and related surgical procedures for minors to avoid strict liability. Families seeking these treatments would need to look for alternatives or wait until the child turns 18.

Related News

6 articles

KSL News·4 days ago

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.

Baptist Press·4 days ago

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.

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Townhall·17 days ago

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.

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