Oklahoma City – Representative Jim Olsen, R-Roland, has filed legislation to prohibit healthcare professionals from providing gender transition services to people under the age of 21.

House Bill 1011 would prohibit healthcare professionals from providing, attempting to provide or providing a referral for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender reassignment surgeries for healthy people under the age of 21.

“It’s irresponsible for anybody in health care to provide or recommend life-altering surgeries that may later be regretted,” Olsen said.

“We know there are some people who undergo the gender transition process and later identify as their biological sex. Performing irreversible procedures on young people can do irreparable harm to them mentally and physically later in life.”

Healthcare professionals found in violation of the law would face a felony charge with a fine of up to $100,000, a 10-year sentence, or both, as well as license revocation by the appropriate licensing board.

Additionally, the bill provides grounds for potential civil action brought by any person.

The bill states that civil liability and criminal charges may be initiated until the victim turns 45.

H.B. 1011 also prohibits public funds from going toward any organization providing gender transition procedures to someone under 21.

The bill includes exceptions to address medically diagnosed genetic anomalies, mutations or sexual development disorders.

The legislative session begins February 6, 2023.