Kansas Republicans are poised to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors. 

The bill bans puberty blockers, hormone treatment and gender-affirming surgeries until 18 years old. The proposal also prevents state employees who work with children from supporting someone’s transition, which Democrats say prevents teachers or social workers from even using a transgender child’s preferred name. 

Similar proposals have passed the Legislature before but were vetoed by the Democratic governor. 

In past years, Republicans couldn’t rally enough support and Gov. Laura Kelly’s vetoes were upheld. This year, the ban passed with a larger margin than in past years. 

The ban is likely headed to Kelly’s desk, where she is expected to veto it like she has with past proposals. It will take 27 votes in the Senate to override the veto. The bill passed the Senate with 32. It takes 84 votes in the House to override the veto. The bill passed with 83 votes, but multiple Republicans who could support the ban didn’t vote.

The additional votes are a result of the 2024 election, when Republicans picked up more seats in the Legislature. Democrats needed to gain two seats in the House or three in the Senate to stop any veto override. Instead, they lost three seats in the House and two in the Senate. 

Democrats tried to amend the bill to address their biggest concerns, but conservatives didn’t budge.

One amendment would only ban gender-affirming surgery until 18 and still allow transgender youth to get puberty blockers and hormone treatment. That proposal failed.

Another amendment tried to remove language that prevents state employees from supporting social transitioning, but the amendment was rejected. The bill defines social transitioning as “presenting as a member of the opposite sex, including the changing of an individual’s preferred pronouns or manner of dress.”

Finally, Democrats tried to lower the age in the ban. Instead of banning the care until someone is 18, liberal lawmakers tried to change that to 16 or 14 years old. The idea also was voted down. 

“So, at the age of 14 you can change your gender but you can’t have a drink at the bar till you’re 21? Come on, people,” said Sen. Tory Marie Blew, a Great Bend Republican, during Wednesday’s debate. 

Republicans say they don’t believe gender-affirming care is backed by science. They say these kids are too young for such decisions, and they see other countries banning the care.

Republican lawmakers worry kids are rushing through the process too quickly and getting surgeries regularly, even though it’s rare. 

“Children need a signed parent permission slip to go on a school field trip to the zoo,” said Rep. Megan Steele, a Manhattan Republican. “But they do not need a signed permission slip to begin experimental medication and surgical castration.”

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology and the American Medical Association support the practice of gender transition. Some studies also say the care reduces depression and suicidality. 

“This bill is an egregious and heartbreaking attempt to discriminate against a small but very vulnerable community in Kansas,” said Rep. Heather Meyer, an Overland Park Democrat. “We tried and tried again today to find a compromise so that we can respect and protect the families and the children … yet we have been shot down at every attempt.”

The bill will likely be tangled up in lawsuits if it becomes law.