HR7420-119

What This Bill Does

The bill adds 18 U.S.C. 1205. It makes it a federal offense to knowingly transport a minor in interstate or foreign commerce, travel or use mail or interstate facilities in furtherance of the offense, to facilitate the minor obtaining a gender transition procedure, punishable by a fine, up to ten years in prison, or both. It gives the transported minor and the minor's parent or legal guardian a civil action for injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorneys' fees. It defines gender transition procedure to include puberty-blocking medications, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries intended to change primary or secondary sex characteristics. The bill also bars federal funds to states, local governments, or governmental entities that permit or encourage interstate transport for such procedures, declare sanctuary status, fail to cooperate with federal investigations of section 1205 violations, or fail to cooperate with related enforcement actions.

Who Benefits and How

Parents or legal guardians opposing a minor's transport for covered procedures gain a federal civil remedy. Federal prosecutors and investigators gain a new criminal offense and grant-condition leverage. Jurisdictions that prohibit such transport or cooperate with federal investigations avoid the federal-funding penalty.

Who Bears the Burden and How

People who transport minors for covered gender transition procedures face up to ten years imprisonment, fines, civil damages, punitive damages, injunctions, attorneys' fees, and federal investigation. Health care providers involved in interstate arrangements may face added legal risk. States, local governments, and other governmental entities must avoid policies permitting or encouraging such transport and must cooperate with federal investigations or risk loss of federal funds.

Key Provisions

• Creates a federal offense for knowingly transporting a minor through interstate or foreign commerce to facilitate a covered gender transition procedure.
• Authorizes fines, imprisonment up to ten years, or both for violations of the new 18 U.S.C. 1205 offense.
• Creates a civil action for transported minors, parents, or legal guardians seeking injunctions, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees.
• Defines covered procedures to include puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and listed surgeries intended to change sex characteristics.
• Bars federal funds to state, local, or other governmental entities that permit or encourage such transport, claim sanctuary status, or fail to cooperate with federal investigations or enforcement.