SB 1138 and the State of the Session
Action Alert | transition care ban SB 1138 on the move in the legislature
SB 1138, which bans all transition care for youth, has been scheduled for the Senate Health and Human Services Committee meeting this Wednesday, February 9, at 8:30 AM. Sponsored by Senator Petersen, this bill targets healthcare providers, barring them from providing or making referrals for “gender transition procedures to any individual who is under eighteen years of age.” Like the other bans we’ve seen, this includes treatments like puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries that are safe, normal and necessary care for many kids – and only discriminates on the basis of trans identity. Medical care from trusted providers should be accessible to anyone who needs it, for whatever reason they need it. The legislature has no business interfering in a decision parents can make with their children and healthcare providers.
What you can do right now
Before Wednesday, log in to Request to Speak to register your position against this bill. If you don’t have an account, now is the perfect time, and Civic Engagement Beyond voting has a great guide to get you started.
Next, call or email the members of Senate Health and Human Services Committee to ask them to vote no on discriminatory government overreach and interference.
Nancy Barto (Chairman): nbarto@azleg.gov | (602) 926-5766
Rosanna Gabaldon: rgabaldon@azleg.gov | (602) 926-3424
Sally Ann Gonzales: sgonzales@azleg.gov | (602) 926-3278
Tyler Pace (Vice-Chairman): tpace@azleg.gov | (602) 926-5760
Wendy Rogers: wrogers@azleg.gov | (602) 926-3042
Thomas Shope: tshope@azleg.gov | (602) 926-3012
Raquel Terán: rteran@azleg.gov | (602) 926-3308
Kelly Townsend: ktownsend@azleg.gov | (602) 926-4467
Where we’re at in the legislative session
With 15 bills introduced so far, Arizona is facing the most anti-LGBTQ+ legislation of any state in the nation. We’re working tirelessly to shut them down, but we need your support. Donate $15 today, and show up with us at the state capitol on February 23 to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Status Updates
SB 1130 – an earlier transition ban that appeared and was held twice in the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, this bill seems to have been sidelined for SB 1138.
SB 1165 – after passing the Senate earlier this week, this trans student athlete ban has already been transmitted to the House. If signed into law, it would ban trans girls from girls teams in school sports and impose increased and invasive scrutiny on all girls.
HB 2161 – one of a number of education focused bills, HB 2161 would deprive trans children of the opportunity to confide in their parents or trusted teachers on their own time, requiring teachers to immediately out their students – a major erosion of the essential bonds of trust between parents, teachers, and children. HB 2161 has passed in committee and has momentum in the House.
HB 2294 – given a do pass recommendation in this week’s Government & Elections committee meeting, this bill would prohibit the vital records department or any other “agency, board, commission or department of this state” from issuing documents with a gender marker other than M or F. This is already the reality in Arizona; HB 2294 is unnecessary and vindictive.
HB 2495 – as originally written, this bill would have banned all mention of homosexuality from public schools, along with enormous swaths of literature. After two amendments, including one to remove “homosexuality” from the definition of sexual conduct, the bill has passed the house and been transmitted to the senate.
Deadlines for the rest of the session
January 1 | Last day for introduction of bills in the Senate
February 7 | Last day for introduction of bills in the House
February 18 | Last day to hear bills in their chamber of origin
March 25 | Last day to hear bills in their second chamber
April 15 | Last day to hear bills in conference committees
April 19 | Day 100 – special approval required to extend the session