Nebraska lawmakers have voted to advance a bill known as the Let Them Grow Act, which seeks to ban gender-affirming procedures for those under the age of 19.
The bill, sponsored by Omaha Center Kathleen Health, also provides for civil penalties for doctors or counselors who offer gender-altering procedures to minors.
Supporters of the bill argue that children cannot fully understand the consequences of such procedures, while opponents have criticized the measure as potentially leading to legal challenges.
The Nebraska and American Medical Associations have both expressed opposition to the bill.
The vote to advance the measure to the second round of debate passed with 30 senators voting in favor, while 17 voted against it.
Senator Megan Hunt, who has a transgender son, has vowed to derail the rest of the legislative session in response to the bill’s advancement.
