{"id":354813,"date":"2023-06-14T20:35:46","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T01:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/lgbtq-law\/state-laws-on-gender-affirming-care.html"},"modified":"2026-05-25T12:22:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T17:22:00","slug":"state-laws-on-gender-affirming-care","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/lgbtq-law\/state-laws-on-gender-affirming-care.html","title":{"rendered":"State Laws on Gender-Affirming Care"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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State Laws on Gender-Affirming Care<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Vaishali Gaur, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Gender-affirming care<\/span> is medical treatment that helps transgender or nonbinary people with their physical transition, including hormone therapy and surgery. Many states have restricted or banned this care for minors, with some states imposing criminal penalties on providers<\/span>. Other states protect access to gender-affirming care<\/span> and shield patients and providers<\/span> from out-of-state<\/span> legal actions.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This article explains what gender-affirming care<\/span> is, which states have restricted access, and how the Supreme Court<\/span>\u2019s decision in United States v. Skrmetti<\/em> impacted access to care.<\/p>\n

Laws on gender-affirming care are constantly evolving and vary by state. For up-to-date legal guidance, contact a health care attorney<\/a> near you.<\/p>\n

What is Gender-Affirming Care<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

\u201cGender-affirming care<\/span>\u201d (GAC) refers to many types of treatment related to gender transition and gender dysphoria<\/span>. It can focus on psychiatric care, physical medical care<\/span>, or multidisciplinary treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gender dysphoria<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is the feeling of distress or discomfort a person feels when their gender identity<\/span> does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. It negatively impacts a person\u2019s mental health<\/span>, often leading to depression and other issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gender transitions can involve:<\/p>\n