Florida lawmakers are advancing a series of bills that LGBTQ advocates warn could further criminalize and restrict care for transgender youth. Two measures, HB 743 and SB 1010, would make it a third-degree felony for medical providers or state employees to aid or abet gender-affirming care for patients under 18.
The bills use the term sex-reassignment prescriptions and procedures but do not define what aiding and abetting means. SB 1010 also opens the door to civil lawsuits and fines of up to $100,000 for each violation, and allows the attorney general to pursue cases up to two years later. Behavioral health professional Savannah Thompson said, “This could increase the feelings of fear from my clients who are under 18, but it also can increase the likelihood that these professionals won’t be able to talk with their clients, honestly and openly, to give them the care and the support that they deserve and need.”
Lawmakers also advanced HB 173, which would require parental consent for teens 13 and older to access outpatient crisis services. Critics warn this could limit access to mental health hotlines like 988, which will disproportionately harm queer youth. Democrat Representative Robin Bartleman reportedly told the bill’s GOP sponsor, Representative Kim Kendall, “If my teen is about to kill themselves, I want them to access a hotline.” The bills come as Florida Republicans continue aggressive efforts targeting trans rights and LGBTQ protections statewide.
