Gov. Kristi Noem has signed into law a bill preventing doctors from prescribing certain health care to transgender kids.
House Bill 1080 passed both chambers on party line votes. Noem signed the bill Monday.
Supporters called it the “Help Not Harm” bill. It prohibits puberty blockers and cross sex hormones for minors. It also bars several surgeries.
A press release from Noem's office said the bill protects children from "harmful, permanent medical procedures."
Several health care organizations opposed the bill, saying it violates the doctor-patient relationship. Other critics called discriminatory.
Similar bills have passed in other states and are being challenged in court.
