That is what we’re discussing when we’re relating to that. I think he may still be serving time for that. Watson offered the example of Conrad Murray, the private doctor of Michael Jackson who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for inadvertently giving the pop icon a lethal overdose. “I certainly have angst or have challenges related to that, but I think that in the end, I think that from a criminal or civil standpoint, we should never be above the law by any means,” he said. Watson, a Savannah physician, said that amendment did give him pause. Doctors could also be stripped of their licenses for providing hormones to children.Īdvocates argued that medical associations recommend a supportive approach for children struggling with gender dysphoria, which could include hormone therapy, and said the bill could force doctors to choose between doing what they believe is best for their patient or complying with the law. Senators reaffirmed their support for the bill on a party line vote after a House committee removed language protecting doctors who prescribe from civil or criminal liability, the top item on the wishlist of conservative lobbyists supporting the bill. testosterone or estrogen, those give irreversible changes to the minor’s or the child’s body.” Sen. “These changes, whether surgical, which could be done and can be done here in the state of Georgia, or whether it’s hormone replacement therapy, i.e. Ben Watson, chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. “What we’re doing here is we’re preventing minors under 18 years old from having irreversible changes in their lives,” said Republican Sen. Summers and supporters say that will allow children to put off making a decision on more permanent treatments until they are older.

While the bill would prevent minors from taking testosterone or estrogen, it would allow drugs which delay the onset of puberty. “That is their rallying cry to target the kids. “They have shouted, ‘castration, mutilation and sterilization,’” said Elizabeth Wagner, a Gwinnett mom of a transgender child. “I want you to understand where I come from with SB 140 and I want to tell you honestly how compassionate I feel, that we are truly protecting the lives of children by not offering the life-altering drugs and of course the surgeries that are completely irreversible,” Summers said.Īdvocates say a very small number of transgender minors get top surgery – masculinizing or feminizing the patient’s chest – and bottom surgery is even more rare. Children who are already taking hormones when the law goes into effect will be able to continue. Carden Summers, would prohibit doctors from performing gender-affirming surgeries or prescribing hormone replacements to Georgians under 18. Senate Bill 140, authored by Cordele Republican Sen. Brian Kemp’s signature after passing the state Senate for a second time Tuesday. A bill limiting the care Georgia doctors could provide to transgender children awaits Gov.

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