On Wednesday, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill banning transgender procedures for minors into law in the state. However, it comes with exceptions that sometimes allow for treatments to be administered.
The law, which goes into effect in January 2024, lets doctors prescribe puberty (hormone) blockers or hormone therapy if the minor is considered at risk of self-harm or suicide.
Specifically, the minor needs to be diagnosed as suffering from severe gender dysphoria by two medical doctors with relevant training in the field. One of the clinicians must be a mental health provider or adolescent medicine specialist.
The two clinicians would also need to document in writing the medical necessity of treating the minor with either puberty blockers or hormones to limit self-harm or the possibility of self-harm. Furthermore, the minor’s parents must agree to the treatment in writing….