Maine House Votes to Allow Teenagers Access to Gender-Affirming Care Without Parental Consent

Maine House approves bill allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to receive gender-affirming hormone therapy without parental consent under certain conditions
Conditions for treatment include diagnosis of gender dysphoria, experiencing harm, and receiving counseling
The bill now proceeds to the Maine Senate for further debate
Maine already requires the state's Medicaid program to cover gender-affirming care
At least 20 states have passed laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, though some face legal challenges