Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill that aimed to ban gender-affirming care for minors in the state. She declared that the legislation encroached on parental rights and interfered in the decision-making process between parents and their children requiring medical care. The Governor emphasized that government mandates should not dictate how parents raise and care for their children, asserting that it goes against Kansas values and conservative principles.
The vetoed Substitute Bill for Senate Bill 233 sought to restrict medical procedures like surgery and hormone treatments for individuals under 18 in Kansas. Last year, Kelly also vetoed similar legislation, which Republicans failed to override. The LGBTQ rights group Human Rights Campaign commended Kelly’s decision, denouncing such bills as dangerous and designed to fuel anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. Cathryn Oakley, the senior director of legal policy at the organization, highlighted that healthcare decisions should be left to doctors, patients, and families, rather than politicians advocating discriminatory practices based on gender identity.
By vetoing the bill, Gov. Kelly demonstrated a commitment to upholding the rights of transgender youth and ensuring access to essential healthcare. The move was praised for safeguarding vulnerable individuals from discriminatory legislation driven by misinformation. The LGBTQ rights group reaffirmed their support for Kelly’s decision, emphasizing the importance of medical professionals and families being the ones to make healthcare decisions, rather than politicians seeking to restrict necessary care based on gender identity.