STOP Act

Key Points

• The bill bans anyone from knowingly performing, attempting, conspiring, or aiding gender transition procedures on people under 18. This covers surgeries, puberty blockers, and hormone therapies when connected to interstate commerce in any way, such as using tools or payments that cross state lines.
• Medical providers who violate the ban face civil penalties of at least $100,000 per violation, imposed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Penalty money goes into a new federal fund called the Victims of Gender Transition Procedures Compensation Fund, which pays for services to help people reverse prior transition procedures.
• People who received these procedures as minors can sue their providers for compensatory damages, emotional distress, and punitive damages. Lawsuits can be filed up to 25 years after the person turns 18 or within 4 years of incurring detransition costs, whichever is later. The bill even allows suits for procedures that happened before it was enacted.
• A grant program would fund private nonprofits that help people reverse gender transition procedures, covering medical advice, education and employment assistance, and mental health and substance use services. Organizations that perform or refer for gender transition procedures or most abortions are ineligible for these grants.
• The bill carves out exceptions for children with diagnosed disorders of sex development, treatments for precocious puberty, male circumcision, and procedures needed for life-threatening physical conditions. Minors themselves cannot be held liable under any part of the bill, and parents and guardians are also shielded from civil monetary penalties.