Kentucky Republicans Override Governor’s Veto of Bill Banning Gender-Transition Treatments for Minors

The Republican supermajority in Kentucky’s legislature has overridden Governor Andy Beshear’s (D.) veto of a bill that, among other things, bans gender-transition treatments for minors.

The motion to override the governor’s veto passed 29-8 in the Kentucky senate and 76-23 in the house on Thursday. Over ten states now have laws that set guardrails on gender transition for minors.

With Senate Bill 150, Kentucky goes further than some other states, banning gender-transition surgeries as well as the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for anyone under 18.

Additionally, students are not to be instructed in gender identity and sexual orientation in all grades; teachers are not required to use preferred pronouns; and students are required to use the bathroom or locker room that corresponds to their sex. The law also strengthens parental notification with respect to services and curricula related to human sexuality.

Republican senator Robby Mills told the Associated Press he supported the measure because of his belief that “puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, when administered to youth under 18 for the purpose of altering their appearance, is dangerous for the health of that child.”

In his veto message, Beshear said he’s in fact the one who’s for parental rights.

He explained he thought the bill “allows too much government interference in personal healthcare issues and rips away the freedom of parents to make medical decisions for their children. Senate Bill 150 further strips freedom from parents to make personal family decisions on the names their children are called and how people should refer to them.”

The parts of the new law relating to gender transition will take effect in about three months. The veto override was one of the last actions of the Kentucky General Assembly, with the current legislative session about to end.

Beshear is currently in an election year and has picked his battles carefully, signing anti-ESG legislation last week.