Chloe Cole Act
Summary
The Chloe Cole Act aims to prohibit healthcare professionals from participating in what it defines as the 'chemical or surgical mutilation' of children, referring to procedures related to gender-affirming care. It provides a private right of action for children and their parents against healthcare providers who perform such procedures. The act defines key terms like 'chemical or surgical mutilation,' 'child,' and 'detransition treatment,' and specifies circumstances under which the prohibition applies, including interstate commerce involvement.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the Chloe Cole Act would significantly restrict access to gender-affirming care for minors, potentially leading to legal challenges for healthcare providers. It could also result in increased litigation related to past and future gender-affirming treatments. The act's definitions and prohibitions may influence medical practice and parental decisions regarding transgender youth.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially protects children from irreversible medical procedures, according to the bill's proponents.
- Provides legal recourse for individuals who regret gender-affirming treatments.
- Reinforces parental rights by allowing parents to sue on behalf of their children.
- May lead to more cautious and thorough evaluations before gender-affirming treatments are initiated.
- Could reduce the number of individuals undergoing gender-affirming procedures at a young age.
Potential Disadvantages
- Restricts access to medically necessary care for transgender youth, potentially harming their mental and physical health.
- May lead to discrimination against transgender individuals and healthcare providers who offer gender-affirming care.
- Could create a chilling effect on medical innovation and research related to transgender health.
- Potentially infringes on the rights of transgender individuals to make decisions about their own bodies.
- May lead to increased rates of suicide and mental health issues among transgender youth.
Constitutional Alignment
The Chloe Cole Act raises constitutional questions related to individual rights, specifically the right to privacy and equal protection under the law. Opponents may argue that the act infringes on the rights of transgender individuals to make decisions about their own bodies and access necessary medical care, potentially violating the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. Supporters may argue that the act protects children from irreversible harm, aligning with the government's interest in protecting vulnerable populations. The act's impact on interstate commerce, as defined in Section 3, could be challenged under the Commerce Clause.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).