Doug LaMalfa (R-CA)
Protecting Children from Experimentation Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 18 Republican cosponsors · See all 18 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Protecting Children from Experimentation Act of 2025" aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code to prohibit gender transition procedures on minors. It establishes that any physical or mental health care professional who knowingly performs or aids in these procedures under specific circumstances faces fines or imprisonment for up to 5 years. The bill defines "gender transition procedures" broadly to include various hormonal or surgical interventions. It also defines "minor" as an individual under the age of 18. Certain medical exclusions are provided for specific conditions like disorders of sex development or imminent physical danger.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal criminal jurisdiction over medical procedures involving interstate commerce.
The opposite· 3 of 9
- Scored -9
Would LGBTQ people be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets and penalizes gender-affirming healthcare essential to many in the LGBTQ community.
- Scored -8
Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people?
The bill criminalizes gender transition procedures, which significantly impacts LGBTQ+ individuals and their healthcare access.
- Scored -5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill restricts access to gender-affirming medical care for minors.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Legal Protection for Recipients: The bill ensures that any person who has undergone a gender transition procedure cannot be arrested or prosecuted for an offense under this specific section. (Sec. 2260B (b))
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Right to Civil Action: An individual who has undergone a gender transition procedure under these terms has the right to bring a civil action for appropriate relief against the person who performed the procedure. (Sec. 2260B (c))
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Continued Care for Specific Medical Needs: The bill excludes certain services from the prohibition, such as treating infections, injuries, or diseases caused by these procedures, or treating physical disorders that pose imminent danger of death or impairment of major bodily function. (Sec. 2260B (e)(3)(B)(iii-iv))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Criminal Penalties for Health Care Professionals: Physical or mental health care professionals who perform or aid in gender transition procedures under the described circumstances could face fines, up to 5 years in prison, or both. (Sec. 2260B (a))
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Broad Definition of Prohibited Procedures: The bill defines "gender transition procedure" to include a wide range of interventions, such as hormone treatments, various surgeries (like mastectomies or vasectomies), and even certain plastic or cosmetic surgeries. (Sec. 2260B (e)(3)(A))
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Strict Definition of Minor: The prohibition applies to anyone under the age of 18. (Sec. 2260B (e)(5))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets and penalizes gender-affirming healthcare essential to many in the LGBTQ community. Would children be better off under this? — The bill restricts access to gender-affirming medical care for minors. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill targets healthcare access for those transitioning near or during late adolescence. Would students be better off under this? — The bill impacts young students who may be seeking gender-affirming care. Would business owners be better off under this? — Medical practitioners may face significant legal and financial risks.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people? — The bill criminalizes gender transition procedures, which significantly impacts LGBTQ+ individuals and their healthcare access. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill targets gender-affirming care, which is a core component of rights for many gender-diverse individuals.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill restricts access to specific healthcare services for minors seeking gender transition. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill prohibits certain mental health treatments related to gender transition for minors.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal criminal jurisdiction over medical procedures involving interstate commerce.
- 9/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/4/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 6/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 11 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Jodey ArringtonRepublican · Texas
Lauren BoebertRepublican · Colorado
Andy BarrRepublican · Kentucky
Brian BabinRepublican · Texas
Mike BostRepublican · Illinois
John CarterRepublican · Texas
Paul GosarRepublican · Arizona
Glenn GrothmanRepublican · Wisconsin
Diana HarshbargerRepublican · Tennessee
Mary MillerRepublican · Illinois
Cory MillsRepublican · Florida
Troy NehlsRepublican · Texas
Gary PalmerRepublican · Alabama
David RouzerRepublican · North Carolina
Keith SelfRepublican · Texas
Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas
Bruce WestermanRepublican · Arkansas