Children - As introduced, prohibits the provision of sexual identity change therapy to prepubescent minors; prohibits the provision of sexual identity change therapy to minors who have entered puberty unless a parent or guardian has written recommendations for the therapy from at least three physicians; punishes violations as child abuse; designates violations by healthcare professionals as professional misconduct. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.
  • Bill History
  • Amendments
  • Video
  • Summary
  • Fiscal Note
  • Votes
  • Actions For HB0578Date
    Def. to Special Calendar to be Published with Final Calendar in Health Committee02/09/2022
    Placed on cal. Health Committee for 2/9/202202/02/2022
    Action def. in Health Committee to Second Calendar of 202204/14/2021
    Placed on cal. Health Committee for 4/14/202104/07/2021
    Action def. in Health Committee to 4/14/202104/07/2021
    Placed on cal. Health Committee for 4/7/202103/31/2021
    Sponsor(s) Added.03/25/2021
    Rec. for pass; ref to Health Committee03/24/2021
    Placed on cal. Criminal Justice Committee for 3/24/202103/17/2021
    Sponsor(s) Added.03/17/2021
    Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Criminal Justice Committee03/17/2021
    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/17/202103/10/2021
    Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/17/202103/10/2021
    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/10/202103/03/2021
    Sponsor(s) Added.03/03/2021
    Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/10/202103/03/2021
    Sponsor(s) Added.03/02/2021
    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/3/202102/24/2021
    Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee02/10/2021
    P2C, ref. to Criminal Justice Committee -- Health02/10/2021
    Sponsor(s) Added.02/09/2021
    Intro., P1C.02/08/2021
    Filed for introduction02/05/2021
    Actions For SB0657Date
    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee02/11/2021
    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration02/10/2021
    Filed for introduction02/09/2021
  • No amendments for HB0578.
    No amendments for SB0657.

  • Videos containing keyword: HB0578

  • Fiscal Summary

    NOT SIGNIFICANT


    Bill Summary

    This bill prohibits a person from providing or facilitating the provision of sexual identity change therapy to a minor who has not yet entered puberty. Additionally, this bill prohibits a person from providing or facilitating the provision of sexual identity change therapy to a minor who has entered puberty unless the parent or legal guardian of the minor provides a signed, written statement recommending sexual identity change therapy for the minor from:

    (1) Two or more licensed physicians; and

    (2) At least one physician who is board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry, and who is not the same person as any physician whose written recommendation is used to satisfy item (1).

    This bill provides that a violation will be punishable as a Class A misdemeanor under the present law child abuse statute. This bill adds "provision of sexual identity change to a child" to the list of activities that "adversely affect the child's health and welfare" under the present child abuse laws. Under present law, any person who knowingly abuses or neglects a child under 18 years of age, so as to adversely affect the child's health and welfare, commits a Class A misdemeanor; however, if the child is eight years of age or less, the penalty is a Class E felony.

    In addition to any criminal liability under this bill, a violation by a healthcare professional will constitute professional misconduct and be subject to discipline by the healthcare professional's licensing authority. Also, a healthcare professional who violates this bill will be subject to a civil action in tort in accordance with applicable healthcare liability provisions. This bill establishes the statute of limitations for such an action to be seven years after a minor turns 21 years of age.

    For purposes of this bill:

    (1) "Sexual identity change therapy" means a course of treatment that involves the use of hormone replacement, puberty blockers, or other medical intervention to change the sexual identity or physical appearance of a patient to a sexual identity or physical appearance that does not correspond to the anatomy and chromosomal makeup with which the patient was born; and

    (2) "Sexual identity" means an individual's self-recognition and self-expression as either a biological female or biological male.

  • FiscalNote for HB0578/SB0657 filed under HB0578
  • House Floor and Committee Votes

              HB0578 by Ragan - HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE:
    Rec. for pass; ref to Health Committee 3/24/2021
              Voice Vote - Ayes Prevail Rep(s). Beck, Hardaway, Lamar requested to be recorded as voting No

              HB0578 by Ragan - HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE:
    Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee 3/24/2021
              Voice Vote - Ayes Prevail

              HB0578 by Ragan - HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE:
    Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Criminal Justice Committee 3/17/2021
              Voice Vote - Ayes Prevail Rep(s). Beck, Hardaway requested to be recorded as voting No

    Senate Floor and Committee Votes

    Votes for Bill SB0657 by the Senate are not available.