1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

Vote NO on HB1399. This proposed legislation seeks to prohibit licensed healthcare professionals from providing cross-sex hormone therapy and gender-affirming treatments to minors for gender dysphoria and related mental health conditions. While aimed at protecting children, such a blanket ban would deny evidence-based medical care to transgender youth. Expert medical associations oppose such restrictions, which increase risks of depression, suicide, and other poor outcomes when transgender children cannot access appropriate transition services. I urge you to review recommendations from groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Psychological Association that highlight the medical necessity of gender-affirming care. Rather than legislating specific treatments, therapy decisions should remain between doctors, transgender minors, and their families based on current standards of care. Transgender children deserve access to healthcare that supports their wellbeing and healthy development.