House · HR 3492 · 119th Congress
Protect Children’s Innocence Act
Sign in to cast a dissent vote.
Summary
This bill makes it a federal crime to perform gender-transition surgeries or give gender-transition hormones to anyone under 18. Doctors who do so could face up to 10 years in prison. The bill also expands the existing federal ban on female genital mutilation to cover more people who help arrange it.
In Favor
Supporters say children cannot fully understand permanent body changes and deserve protection from them. The bill creates a clear national rule so minors cannot be taken across state lines to get these procedures. Backers argue that keeping kids safe from lasting harm is worth a firm federal limit.
Against
The bill blocks doctors from providing care that major medical groups say can help some minors. It removes the ability of families and doctors to make treatment choices together based on a child's needs. Critics also warn that the health exception is narrow and may leave some teens without care they currently rely on.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
The bill makes it a federal crime to perform certain surgeries or give certain medicines to minors for the purpose of changing their body to match a sex different from their biological sex. It also updates existing federal rules against female genital mutilation of minors.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill covers two related topics: new rules on gender-related procedures for minors and updates to the existing female genital mutilation law. Both topics involve medical procedures performed on minors, so the provisions stay closely tied to each other.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Minors are protected from prosecution under the bill. Medical providers who perform the listed procedures on minors face potential fines and prison time. The bill also broadens who can be charged for facilitating female genital mutilation beyond just parents or guardians.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not authorize or appropriate any specific dollar amount. It works by creating and updating federal criminal offenses, so the main cost falls on federal agencies to investigate and prosecute cases under the new rules.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The bill requires prosecutors to show that interstate commerce was involved in each case, which may create a hurdle in some situations. Doctors and courts will also need to apply the bill's medical exceptions, which depend on specific diagnoses and physician certifications.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 6/5/2026