BOISE — A new bill has made its way to Idaho Governor Brad Little’s desk, aiming to alert parents when their child is transitioning to another gender.
The bill is called the “Pediatric Secretive Transitions Parental Rights Act.” The bill would require schools and healthcare providers to report when a child is socially transitioning to a different gender. It’s a stage some lawmakers say is a precursor to more permanent changes, and why they want parents to be informed.
However, others say the specifics of this bill make it one of the most over-reaching anti-trans bills in the country.
House Bill 822 requires that teachers, childcare providers, and healthcare providers including therapists report to a parent if their child is socially transitioning.
In the bill, social transition includes using a different name or pronouns, or dressing like the opposite sex. It also includes asking to use a different locker room or play on a sports team of the opposite sex.
If this is not reported within three days, the Attorney General could seek up to $100,000 in civil fines.
Senator Ben Toews of Coeur d’Alene supports the bill and explained the reasoning behind it.
“It really just has to do with making sure that parents are notified and that they’re in the loop on what’s going on with their kids to make sure that they’re able to do their jobs as parents,” Toews said.
“Often the social transition is the precursor to the surgeries and hormones and those kind of things,” Toews said.
But there are concerns that some lawmakers and other organizations have with this bill, including the impact on schools and healthcare providers and the safety of the children going through these changes.
Rebecca De León, Communications Director for the ACLU of Idaho, expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on LGBTQ youth.
“We have extremely high rates of suicide and self-harm, especially among LGBTQ and particularly trans young people. And this would absolutely exacerbate that,” De León said.
The ACLU of Idaho says this bill would further isolate LGBTQ youth by limiting the amount of people they can turn to. It would also out them to their parents before they feel comfortable or ready.
“Not all parents are equipped to have a very affirming, positive response. And that can be extremely damaging to a child,” De León said.
The bill needs to be signed by Governor Brad Little before it becomes law. Once signed, it would go into effect July 1.
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