STOP Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8573
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-29: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T18:59:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation prohibits gender transition procedures on individuals under age 18. It authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose civil penalties and establishes a grant program to support detransition efforts.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: The bill defines terms including "minor" (under 18), "sex" (immutable biological classification as male or female), "gender transition procedure" (a detailed list of hormonal, pharmaceutical, and surgical interventions such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, mastectomies, and genital surgeries), and "detransition treatment" (services to reverse or cope with prior procedures). Exclusions apply for certain disorders of sex development, medical emergencies, and male circumcision.
- Prohibition: No person may knowingly perform, attempt, conspire, or aid gender transition procedures on a minor when the conduct involves interstate or foreign commerce, payments, communications, or occurs in U.S. territories. Employers and contractors are jointly liable for employee actions.
- Penalties and Enforcement: The Secretary may impose civil monetary penalties of at least $100,000 per violation after notice and hearing. The Attorney General may pursue collection. Obstruction of investigations carries additional penalties.
- Private Right of Action: Minors (or their parents, guardians, or caretakers) may sue for compensatory, non-economic, and punitive damages within 25 years of turning 18 or 4 years of incurring detransition costs.
- Grant Program: The Secretary must create grants for nonprofit entities to provide information, referrals, and services for detransition, including medical reversal, education support, and mental health care. Eligible entities must not perform or refer for gender transition procedures or most abortions.
- Additional Rules: Statute of limitations, severability clause, and rules limiting deference to prior medical standards in disputes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill creates the first federal prohibition on gender transition procedures for minors, shifting oversight from state regulation to federal civil enforcement. It introduces nationwide civil penalties, a private damages remedy with extended time limits, and a dedicated federal grant program for detransition support, none of which previously existed in federal statute.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services gains enforcement authority and must administer a new grant program; the Department of Justice may file collection actions.
- Citizens: Minors, parents, guardians, and caretakers gain access to detransition grants and litigation options; healthcare providers face penalties and liability for prohibited procedures.
- International Relations: Jurisdiction extends to foreign commerce, potentially affecting cross-border medical travel or related communications.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Minors receiving or seeking procedures and their families.
- Healthcare professionals and facilities performing the listed interventions.
- Nonprofit organizations providing detransition services.
- Federal agencies (HHS and DOJ).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill relies on the interstate commerce clause to establish federal jurisdiction over medical procedures. It includes provisions addressing potential conflicts with prior medical standards and grants broad deference to the Act's intent in enforcement proceedings. A severability clause preserves remaining sections if any part is invalidated.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-29: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-29: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Safeguarding The Overall Protection of Minors Act — issued 2026-04-29 — PDF (24 pages)