Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120
04/17/2024 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB338 | |
| HB386 | |
| HB105 | |
| HB338 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 386 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 338 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 338-PHYS LBLTY: GENDER TRANS PROCEDURE;MINORS
1:54:10 PM
CHAIR VANCE announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 338, "An Act relating to physician liability for
gender transition procedures performed on minors; and providing
for an effective date."
CHAIR VANCE opened public testimony on HB 338.
1:54:43 PM
MORGAN LIM, Government Relations Manager, Planned Parenthood
Alliance Advocates, testified in opposition to HB 338. He
stated that PPAA strongly opposes HB 338, a bill that would
increase physicians' liability for providing necessary
healthcare and result in a severe chilling affect that further
limits transgender ("trans") youth access to care. He urged the
committee to consider the human costs of the bill and oppose HB
338, thereby ensuring that Alaska is a state that respects and
protects the dignity of its residents.
1:56:08 PM
DONNA FLEMING, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. She shared a personal anecdote and expressed her support
for Section 3 of the bill.
1:57:27 PM
CAROL HABEGER, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. She said she supports the bill, as children are not
capable of making this life threatening, life changing decision
until their brains are fully developed. She opined that
physicians should be held accountable until the age of 25.
1:58:59 PM
MELISSA ZAHASKY, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. She shared a personal anecdote and opined that physicians
facilitating gender reassignment must be held liable for damages
incurred.
1:59:54 PM
CAROL ROSE, representing self, testified in support of HB 338.
She shared a personal anecdote and opined that [physicians]
should be held accountable for altering a child's life.
2:01:14 PM
KATRINA MITCHELL, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. She urged the committee to implement the bill to ensure
that children are not victims of intense social pressure and
hasty decisions.
2:02:40 PM
ADENA COMPTON, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. She referenced a data leak from the World Professional
Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) that highlighted
numerous concerns about gender affirming care. She reiterated
her support for the bill.
2:04:10 PM
MARIE MESSING, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. She expressed concern about the ability of children to
provide informed consent in the WPATH standard of care.
2:05:43 PM
BRIAN MESSING, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. He urged the legislature to implement the bill to ensure
that physicians are liable for gender transition procedures
performed on minors.
2:08:29 PM
GRIFFEN SUKKAEW, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. He addressed a question asked by Representative Gray
during the previous bill hearing, stating that he himself is a
happy transgender man who was lucky enough to get on hormone
replacement therapy (HRT) at the age of 17. He stated that the
bill would make it harder for many trans children to acquire HRT
and lead to irreversible harm.
2:09:55 PM
SENECA ROACH, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. He said whatever the objective, the main effect of the
legislation would be to disincentivize medical care
practitioners and organizations from treating patients. He
urged the committee to vote "no" on the proposed legislation.
2:11:21 PM
BILL DEAN, representing self, testified in support of HB 338.
He questioned how a child could make a wise decision given all
the propaganda and influence from peers and teachers.
2:12:50 PM
ALEXANDER ROSALES, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. He likened gender reassignment surgery to gender
mutilation and urged the legislature to leave the kids alone.
2:13:47 PM
MONICA WHITMAN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She said Alaskans have made it clear that they don't want
the government involved in their healthcare. She opined that
creating an environment where physicians are told which
treatments they can and can't do based on what the political
group in power is suggesting is bad for business.
2:15:15 PM
TIMOTHY BARTO, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. He said the bill is designed to protect the mutilation of
children by holding medical providers responsible for the damage
inflicted on children as a result of a current sociological
trend. He urged a "yes" vote on HB 338.
2:16:39 PM
LINDSEY BANNING, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 338. She said the bill is designed to make gender affirming
care out of reach for trans youth in Alaska because the sponsor
has strong feelings about trans kids and their healthcare. She
urged the legislature to keep politics out of healthcare and
vote "no" on HB 338.
2:18:02 PM
JOSH SMITH, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. He said by increasing the statute of limitations, the bill
would make healthcare unachievable for kids that need it the
most.
2:19:28 PM
STEPHANIE UZZELL, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 338. She said the bill clearly singles out trans kids, as
evidenced by the attempt at criminalizing medical care for
children. She said she is appalled at some of the language and
that children have a right to autonomy.
2:20:47 PM
JESSE SAIKI, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She urged the committee not to support the bill, which
aims to limit access to trans healthcare and gender affirming
services.
2:22:04 PM
DAVID LESLIE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. He opined that the bill is racist and goes against
traditional Alaska Native cultural ways, which has multiple
genders outside the binary Gender. He said the bill would
affect employment in the state and was being deliberately used
to attack vulnerable people.
2:23:10 PM
JASON LAND, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. He said HB 338 is an attack on trans kids and an attempt
to scare doctors away from saving kids.
2:24:30 PM
ROSE HART, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 338.
She said the bill is obviously designed to make gender affirming
care harder by increasing liability for gender affirming care
providers. She urged the committee not to support HB 338.
2:25:46 PM
ERICA STANNARD, representing self, doctor, testified in
opposition to HB 338. She said she opposes the bill because
patients, families, and medical professionals know what's best
for them. She urged the committee to oppose HB 338 and
requested that they not continue to waste the legislature and
public's time debating care for lesbian, gay bisexual,
transgender, queer, or questioning ("LGBTQ+") youth.
2:26:51 PM
CARLY JENSEN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She stated that making doctors more liable for the care
they provide would drive doctors out of the state where medical
resources are already spread thin. She opined that the bill
would further ostracize and harm the LGBTQ+ community.
2:27:57 PM
ASHLYN JOHNSON, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She said the bill threatens to undermine trust between
doctors and patients, heightens legal risk for healthcare
providers, discourages [providers] from offering lifesaving
treatment, and limits access to care for transgender minors.
Moreover, she opined that allowing legal action for up to 20
years post treatment would add an unreasonable burden on
healthcare providers, potentially increase insurance costs, and
deter specialists from practicing in the field. She concluded
that the bill would jeopardize the future of some of the most
vulnerable youth.
2:29:29 PM
NITHYA THIRU, Queer & Trans Justice Program Manager, American
Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, testified in opposition to HB
338. She said the bill would make it more likely that insurers
would not cover gender affirming care for youth due to increased
liability, thereby adding another roadblock for trans people.
2:30:36 PM
MO DART, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 338.
She said the bill is an attempt to scare away medical
professionals and limit access to gender affirming care for
youth, which is another attack on queer youth.
2:31:53 PM
PAMELA SAMASH, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. She said she is supportive of parental rights; however,
there is no right to mutilate a child. She urged the committee
to "end this" to avoid higher Medicaid payments down the line,
and to protect [children's] health and future.
2:33:18 PM
XOCHITL MUNOZ, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She shared a personal anecdote and urged the committee to
talk to trans people about their experiences and to oppose the
bill.
2:34:23 PM
JULIE SMYTH, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She urged the committee to oppose the bill if they support
kids.
2:35:47 PM
REBECCA BERNARD, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 338. She said the bill runs counter to the overwhelming
scientific evidence and medical opinion that gender affirming
care is medically necessary, lifesaving care for many trans
youths. If passed, she said the bill would be an unacceptable
and misinformed intrusion by the state into the
patient/physician relationship and the right of parents and
their children to make their own healthcare decisions.
2:37:11 PM
KASEY MOW, representing self, testified in support of HB 338.
She urged the passage of HB 338 because minors' brains need time
to develop. She urged the committee to hold doctors accountable
for the destruction of a child's body and the harmful effects
that may follow this procedure.
2:38:26 PM
SALIM HOUCK, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. They shared a personal anecdote and expressed opposition
to the bill because patients, families, and medical
professionals, not politicians, know what's best for them. They
requested that medical decisions be left to medical
professionals.
2:39:40 PM
KC CASORT, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 338.
She said it's hard enough to be a kid, and [children] do not
need politicians making it harder for trans kids by denying them
best practice medical care, limiting providers, and stigmatizing
their care by singling it out as somehow different from other
types of medical care for young people.
2:40:54 PM
LILLIAN LENNON, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She said the bill could have profound effects on the
health, safety, and stigma of trans people, and is an obvious
attempt at intimidating healthcare professionals into denying
gender affirming care for trans patients.
2:42:51 PM
ROSE TITUS, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She expressed concern that bills like HB 338 could lead to
targeting trans adults, queer people, and homeless communities,
and denying them medical care as well.
2:43:53 PM
JEANNE SWARTZ, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She said the bill is based on fear, ignorance, and
prejudice, and expressed concern that the legislature is taking
up valuable time on frivolous legislation.
2:44:54 PM
ELEANOR LOCKE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She shared her personal experience and expressed strong
opposition to the bill.
2:46:03 PM
ELEANOR LOCKE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338 because it would increase sex trafficking in Alaska. She
explained that when trans youth cannot access appropriate care,
they face lifelong discrimination in employment and continuously
turn to sex work as a social safety net.
2:46:59 PM
WINDY PERKINS, representing self, testified in support of HB
338. She said the bill is about holding medical professionals
accountable for mutilating people's bodies.
2:48:35 PM
EMILY COHEN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She encouraged legislators not to overstep their role by
assuming they have the expertise and knowledge to know the best
outcome in private healthcare conversations between medical
providers, families and children.
2:49:33 PM
KATRINA DOWELL, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
338. She said this kind of legislation would effectively drive
away physicians from an already medically underserved state and
negatively impact not only trans Alaskans, but all Alaskan
children. She urged the committee to leave decisions regarding
gender affirming care to patients, their families, and qualified
physicians practicing evidence-based medicine.
2:50:57 PM
SERENE O'HARA-JOLLEY, representing self, testified in opposition
to HB 338. She said the government has no business telling
parents how to raise their children and should not be taking
away the rights of families to make decisions with their
doctors.
2:52:12 PM
MIKE COONS, representing self, testified in support of HB 338.
He shared his experience as a paramedic and opined that any
physician that prescribes hormonal drugs or performs these
surgical procedures in violation of the law has committed child
abuse and child sexual abuse.
2:53:25 PM
KATE VEH, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 338.
She shared her understanding that there are no gender affirming
surgeries happening in the state of Alaska and urged the
committee to vote "no" on HB 338.
2:54:22 PM
MAXINE DOOGAN, President, Community United for Safety and
Protection, testified in opposition to HB 338 and opined that
the bill is government overreach.
CHAIR VANCE closed public testimony on HB 338. She noted that
the bill would be taken up again later in the meeting.
HB 338-PHYS LBLTY: GENDER TRANS PROCEDURE;MINORS
8:38:06 PM
CHAIR VANCE announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 338, "An Act relating to physician liability for
gender transition procedures performed on minors; and providing
for an effective date."
[Because of their length, some amendments discussed or adopted
during the meeting are found at the end of the minutes for HB
338. Shorter amendments are included in the main text.]
8:38:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 338,
labeled 33-LS1392\A.5, Gunther, 4/16/24, which read:
Page 1, line 1:
Delete "gender transition"
Insert "certain"
Page 1, following line 3:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of
Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read:
LEGISLATIVE FINDING. The legislature finds that
the average prevalence of surgical regret for all
surgeries received by all people is 14.4 percent,
while the average prevalence of surgical regret for
gender affirming surgeries received by transgender and
gender diverse individuals is less than one percent."
Page 1, line 4:
Delete "Section 1"
Insert "Sec. 2"
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 2, line 15:
Delete "gender transition"
Insert "certain"
Page 2, line 16, following the second occurrence of
"a":
Insert "surgical procedure or"
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER objected.
8:38:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY stated that Amendment 1 would extend the
bill to all forms of surgery.
8:38:52 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
8:39:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY opined that Amendment 1 would make the bill
more applicable to Alaskans, as they do not receive gender
affirming surgery in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH asked whether gender affirming surgery or
home therapy is viewed as a casual matter in Representative
Gray's experience.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY explained that he was unable to comment on
the surgery because it is not provided in Alaska. Nonetheless,
he said hormone therapy is not considered casual in his
experience.
8:46:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER wondered whether, by passing Amendment 1,
few pediatric surgeons would be willing to practice in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD shared her understanding that two major
hospitals in Anchorage wanted to perform [gender affirming]
surgeries on children and adults, which was stopped due to
ethical concerns. She maintained her opposition to Amendment 1.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY agreed with Representative Sumner that
allowing children who underwent all kinds of surgery to sue for
regret years later would have a chilling effect on pediatric
surgery. He reiterated that the point of Amendment 1 is to make
the bill applicable to Alaskans, adding that if trans kids can
sue in the future, then all kids should be able to sue in the
future.
8:48:22 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Gray and Groh voted
in favor of Amendment 1. Representatives Sumner, Allard,
Carpenter, C. Johnson, and Vance voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 1 failed by a vote of 2-5.
8:48:52 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
8:49:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY moved to adopt Amendment 2 to HB 338,
labeled 33-LS1392\A.6, Gunther, 4/16/24, which read:
Page 1, line 1:
Delete "gender transition"
Insert "certain"
Page 2, line 15:
Delete "gender transition"
Insert "certain"
Page 2, line 17, following "transition":
Insert "or cosmetic plastic surgery"
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD objected.
8:49:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY explained that Amendment 2 would extend
liability to physicians to perform cosmetic surgery on minors.
8:50:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER said he would be inclined to support
Amendment 2, except that it includes cosmetic surgeries for
reconstructive purposes and many other inadvisable things.
8:50:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked whether the doctor or the
parents would be held liable.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD said the argument is that cosmetic surgery
should have the same accountability as an untested, unproven
medical procedure. She opined that children should not be
victims of untested procedures and pointed out that cosmetic
surgeries like rhinoplasty and breast reductions have all been
proven. She maintained her opposition to Amendment 2.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY clarified that the bill wouldn't ban these
procedures. Instead, it would allow regretful patients to sue
within 20 years. He explained that "top surgery," which is a
mastectomy, for a female to male transgender person is not an
untested procedure. Further, he argued that thousands of teen
girls get breast implants and that those women should be able to
sue for liability if they were regretful.
8:54:43 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Gray and Groh voted
in favor of Amendment 2. Representatives C. Johnson, Sumner,
Allard, Carpenter, and Vance voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 2 failed by a vote of 2-5.
8:55:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH moved to adopt Amendment 3 to HB 338,
labeled 33-LS1392\A.3, Gunther, 4/16/24, which read:
Page 1, line 2, following "minors;":
Insert "relating to casualty insurance policies
for services rendered by physicians;"
Page 2, following line 21:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 4. AS 21.96 is amended by adding a new
section to read:
Sec. 21.96.130. Gender transition procedure
liability. A casualty insurance policy offered by an
insurer for services rendered by a physician licensed
under AS 08.64 may not exclude coverage for claims
arising under AS 09.65.175. In this section, "casualty
insurance" has the meaning given in AS 21.12.070."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON objected.
8:55:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH explained that Amendment 3 states that
casualty insurance policy offered by an insurer for services
rendered by a physician licensed may not exclude coverage for
claims arising under the civil liability provision of the
proposed legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER said he opposed Amendment 3 because it
could cause a substantial increase in physician malpractice
insurance.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH said Representative Sumner's point makes the
point. He explained that the proposed legislation would create
a "giant tail" of liability with a 20-year statute of
limitations. For that reason, he said it only seems fair to
make that an insurable risk.
8:57:57 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Gray and Groh voted
in favor of Amendment 3. Representatives C. Johnson, Sumner,
Allard, Carpenter, and Vance voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 3 failed by a vote of 2-5.
8:58:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD moved to adopt Amendment 4 to HB 338,
labeled 33-LS1392\A.2, Gunther, 4/5/24. [Amendment 4 is
provided at the end of the minutes on HB 338.]
REPRESENTATIVE GROH objected.
8:59:21 PM
MR. BALLINGER explained that Amendment 4 does the following:
requires the Alaska State Medical Board to develop a
standardized consent form; adds a criminal element to performing
these procedures on minors; creates a new section that develops
the standardized informed consent for sex reassignment
procedures; defines sex reassignment treatments or procedures
and inserts this term in place of "gender transition"; removes
the ability for a minor to consent to sex reassignment
treatments or procedures; outlines exceptions to liability; and
makes it crime for physicians to perform the sex reassignment
treatments or procedures on minors or individuals over 18 years
of age without informed consent with a penalty of a class C
felony.
9:05:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH pointed out that Amendment 4 is three times
longer than the actual bill and suggested that the sponsor
should prepare a committee substitute instead. He shared his
belief that considering this amendment in its current form
without the aid of Legislative Legal Services or a sponsor
substitute is not the way to go.
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER asked whether the transition regulation
language and the adoption of a new class C felony would add a
fiscal note to the bill.
MR. BALLINGER shared that the Department of Law (DOL) said there
would be no new fiscal impact on the proposed legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER pointed out that Amendment 4 directs the
State Medical Board to adopt regulations establishing standards
of care and asked whether the Department of Health (DOH) had
been contacted.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD answered no and maintained that DOL had
said the proposed amendment would not trigger a fiscal note.
9:08:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY said it would be a surprise to him if
standardized informed consent forms weren't already being used
in Alaska clinics with regard to this kind of treatment.
MR. BALLINGER clarified that the bill would require one
consistent with this code section.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked whether it was the bill sponsor's
belief that current consent practices are inadequate, and that
additional government interference is necessary.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD shared her belief that yes, the government
needs to step in to hold doctors accountable.
9:10:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked whether Amendment 4 intended for the
Alaska State Medical Board to craft the standardized informed
consent form to be completed by the physician prior to starting
treatment.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD answered yes, and shared her understanding
that it would not create an additional cost.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY expressed concern that the board may not
have anyone serving on it who had performed this type of
treatment.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD acknowledged that this is unchartered
territory that needs to be addressed.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY argued that this is not unchartered
territory and that standardized informed consent forms had been
used for decades.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH asked whether Amendment 4 would carry a risk
of violating equal protection laws or the right to privacy in
the Alaska Constitution.
9:13:53 PM
CONRAN GUNTHER, Legislative Legal Services, Legislative Affairs
Agency, answered yes, as this is a rapidly developing area of
law. He said there would be a risk of creating an equal
protection violation and the Alaska Constitution's right to
privacy clause.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked if the bill were adopted and
deemed unconstitutional, whether those portions would be struck
down and the rest would remain.
MR. GUNTHER answered yes and cited the generalized severability
clause in Alaska Statutes.
9:15:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Amendment 4 to delete all content on page 5 line 16 and delete
the words "over 18 years of age" on line 17.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD objected.
9:16:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY shared his belief that it should be a crime
to perform a sex transition procedure on anyone without their
permission.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked whether it's already illegal to
perform any surgery without written consent.
MR. GUNTHER said he was unsure about written consent, but
informed consent is a standard requirement in medical procedures
to give the patients understanding of what they're agreeing to.
CHAIR VANCE clarified that the intent of Conceptual Amendment 1
is already written in the bill on page 5, line 17.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY shared his understanding that the bill would
criminalize all sexual reassignment treatments or procedures on
minors, and the intent of Conceptual Amendment 1 is to ensure
that it can't be done one anyone without informed consent.
9:21:27 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Gray and Groh voted
in favor of Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 4.
Representatives Allard, Carpenter, C. Johnson, Sumner, and Vance
voted against it. Therefore, Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Amendment 4 failed by a vote of 2-5.
9:22:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON said he had a real problem with
criminalizing this activity and taking away a doctor's
livelihood; furthermore, he disagreed with DOL and shared his
belief that Amendment 4 would require a fiscal note. If the
bill passes, he suggested that the chair might consider holding
the bill in her office and allow for a fiscal note to be
drafted, specifically by the Department of Health and Social
Services.
9:25:15 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:25 p.m. to 9:28 p.m.
9:28:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD withdrew Amendment 4.
9:29:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked whether "gender transition procedure"
referred to surgical procedures only, or whether medication is
included as well.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD said medication is included. She deferred
to Mr. Ballinger.
9:29:53 PM
MR. BALLINGER stated that without [Amendment 4], which
incorporated definitions and some of the other procedures, he is
unsure how Alaska would answer that.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY opined that the word procedure implies
something beyond giving someone pills or medication.
9:31:42 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:31 p.m. to 9:39 p.m.
9:39:10 PM
CHAIR VANCE sought final comment on HB 338.
9:39:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH expressed concern that the bill has
constitutional infirmities and bad policy choices with the "20-
year tail" on the civil liability. He added that he could not
support HB 338.
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY reiterated that gender affirming care
procedures are not performed in Alaska other than medication.
So, if the bill does not apply to medication, he stated that HB
338 does not have a lot of applicability in the state. Further,
he expressed concern about the 20-year statute of limitations
for civil liability. He opined that the bill would make it more
difficulty for well adjusted trans kids to get the healthcare
that they need.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER voiced his opinion that minors do not
have the capacity to consent legally or developmentally and
therefore, the doctor who is in a trusted position, should be
ultra cautious in his advice to the patient.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD said getting a tattoo at 16 is a bad idea,
and cutting off body parts is something that children should be
protected from. She shared her belief that the legislature
needs to stop [these procedures] before they come to Alaska,
adding that she stands by the protection of children.
9:44:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD moved to report HB 338 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH objected.
9:44:47 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Allard, Carpenter,
C. Johnson, Sumner, and Vance voted in favor of reporting HB 338
from committee. Representatives Gray and Groh voted against it.
Therefore, HB 338 was reported out of the House Judiciary
Standing Committee by a vote of 5-2.