McMaster signs ban on gender-affirming care for minors
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - Gov. Henry McMaster says he has signed a bill that prohibits minors in South Carolina from undergoing gender-transition procedures.
The governor posted on X that he had signed the “Help Not Harm Bill” into law, which he says “protects our state’s children from irreversible gender transition procedures and bans public funds from being used for them.”
That would include surgeries, hormone therapy and puberty blockers for any patient under 18 years of age.
School principals or vice principals would have to notify parents or guardians if a child wanted to use a name other than their legal one, or a nickname or pronouns that did not match their sex assigned at birth.
The bill passed the state Senate and House despite concerns from doctors and parents who testified before committees that people younger than 18 do not receive gender-transition surgeries in South Carolina and hormone treatments begin only after extensive consultation with health professionals.
They said the treatments can be lifesaving, allowing young transgender people to live more fulfilling lives. Research has shown that transgender youth and adults are prone to stress, depression and suicidal behavior when forced to live as the sex they were assigned at birth.
McMaster says he looks forward to joining lawmakers and supporters of the bill at a ceremonial signing next week in the Upstate.
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