Montana Enacts Ban on Transgender Healthcare for Minors Despite Outcry; Rep. Zooey Zephyr Faces Censure

Montana has become the 15th state to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors despite lobbying efforts against the bill and criticism from advocacy groups.
The state's first openly transgender lawmaker, Zooey Zephyr, was censured and barred from the House floor for speaking out against the legislation.
Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill into law despite pleas from his own nonbinary child to veto the legislation.
The bill prohibits treatments such as hormone therapy,puberty blockers and gender confirmation surgery for minors.
Medical providers who violate the new law could face disciplinary action including suspension of their medical license for at least a year.