Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, has vetoed legislation that would ban ‘gender-affirming care’ for minors.
“Right now, the legislature should be focused on ways to help Kansans cope with rising prices,” Kelly said in a statement, according to ABC News.
“That is the most important issue for Kansans. That is where my focus is,” she added.
Kelly has vetoed such legislation on multiple occasions.
New: Kansas Democrat Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the Help Not Harm Act. This would have banned child transgender medicalization. This is the second time she has vetoed such legislation pic.twitter.com/bkniVIbj7F
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) February 12, 2025
Per ABC News:
The bill would bar health care providers from administering gender-affirming medical care – including puberty suppressants and hormone therapies – for someone under the age of 18, only for the purposes of gender transitioning. The ban would also apply to gender-affirming surgeries.
“Infringing on parental rights is not appropriate, nor is it a Kansas value,” said Kelly in her veto message. “As I’ve said before, it is not the job of politicians to stand between a parent and a child who needs medical care of any kind. This legislation will also drive families, businesses, and health care workers out of our state, stifling our economy and exacerbating our workforce shortage issue.”
ADVERTISEMENTThis is the third time Kelly has vetoed similar transgender youth care bills, but the bill may now have the support to pass.
The bill passed the state legislature with flying colors – passing the House 83-35 and the Senate 32-8.
In 2023, the attempt to override a past trans care ban veto lost in the House 82-43.
BREAKING: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D) just VETOED Senate Bill 63 which would ban puberty blockers, hormone drugs, and sex change surgery for minors. pic.twitter.com/UlXrwqrpGr
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 12, 2025
“Disgraceful veto, Laura Kelly. Yet again, putting her radical liberal ideology above the safety of Kansas kids. Child mutilation is not a parental right and on the contrary, should be criminal. I look forward to the legislature overriding this insane veto,” Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) said.
Disgraceful veto, Laura Kelly.
Yet again, putting her radical liberal ideology above the safety of Kansas kids. Child mutilation is not a parental right and on the contrary, should be criminal.
I look forward to the legislature overriding this insane veto. https://t.co/TqeDgk2lpc
— Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) February 11, 2025
From the Associated Press:
The GOP-controlled Legislature’s members had expected Gov. Laura Kelly’s action because she vetoed two similar bills previously. This year’s measure not only would ban gender-affirming surgeries, hormone treatments and puberty blockers for minors but also prohibit state employees caring for children from promoting social transitioning for them.
At least 26 other states have restricted gender-affirming care for minors.
Votes last month suggested that backers of a Kansas ban have the legislative supermajorities needed to override Kelly’s veto. House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, a Kansas City-area Democrat, acknowledged as much during a recent news conference and said opponents will ask state courts to overturn a ban.
ADVERTISEMENTSupporters argue that a ban would protect vulnerable children from what they’ve often described as a radical ideology about gender.
Transgender youth and their parents have said such care often lessens depression and suicidal tendencies.
Kelly chastised lawmakers in her veto message for what she said was their attempt to interfere with parental rights and in medical decisions.
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