Jamie Reed Protecting Our Kids from Child Abuse Act

This proposal would let people sue if they were given gender-transition procedures as minors and later suffer physical or mental harm. It targets pediatric gender clinics, doctors who performed or worked at the clinic during the procedure, and hospitals or colleges that host, fund, or are affiliated with those clinics. The measure defines a minor as under 18 and a pediatric gender clinic as a facility that specializes in diagnosing or treating gender dysphoria in minors, including providing or referring for these procedures.

People could file a lawsuit up to 30 years after they turn 18 and seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. A clinic or doctor could defend themselves by showing they did not know, and had no reason to know, the person was a minor at the time. The proposal also blocks any federal funds from going to pediatric gender clinics, to hospitals or colleges affiliated with them, or for any gender-transition procedure performed on a minor. It would apply to procedures done before, on, or after the date it becomes law.

Key points

• Who is affected: Former minor patients; pediatric gender clinics; doctors; hospitals and colleges tied to these clinics.
• What changes: Creates a federal right to sue and bans federal funding tied to these clinics or procedures on minors.
• When: Lawsuits allowed until 30 years after turning 18; applies to past and future procedures if enacted.