U.S. Senator Mike Lee of Utah announced on Apr. 29 that he has cosponsored the Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors (STOP) Act, which seeks to ban gender transition procedures for individuals under age 18 and establish penalties and compensation funds related to such actions.
The proposed legislation aims to prohibit medical professionals from performing or assisting with gender transition procedures on minors, impose civil penalties starting at $100,000 per violation, and create a federal fund to support those who detransition. Supporters say this measure is intended to protect children from irreversible medical interventions and provide recourse for those affected.
“There are kids in America receiving life-altering gender surgeries before they graduate high school. There are kids being given hormone blockers that can cause bone loss, depression, and myriad other medical issues when they should be playing hopscotch and riding bikes,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Our kids deserve safe childhoods and informed consent, but instead they have harmful procedures pushed on them by predatory doctors who won’t have to live with the consequences. I’m proud to cosponsor the STOP Act to outlaw risky gender transition procedures on minors, empower victims to sue for damages, and award the penalty funds from criminal doctors to their victims as recovery compensation.”
Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas introduced the bill alongside Lee. Marshall said: “As an OB-GYN with over two decades of clinical experience, I know firsthand what these irreversible procedures do to children. These are not medical treatments — they are child abuse. The STOP Act sends a clear message: if you harm a child by performing these procedures, there will be serious consequences. Our children deserve nothing less.”
The bill is supported by organizations including the American Principles Project (APP), Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), and Students for Life of America (SFLA). Terry Schilling of APP said: “No child is born in the wrong body—they just have the wrong doctor… The STOP Act will ban irreversible sex change procedures for children… Thank you to Senator Marshall for his continued efforts to protect American children from this predatory industry.” Dr. Gary Hollingsworth of ERLC added: “What a gift it is to know that the same God who made the universe, made each one of us with intention… Our government has a responsibility to safeguard its citizens… we are encouraged to see legislation that prioritizes their protection.”
According to the official website, Lee has championed constitutional principles and individual liberty as a U.S senator; he serves as Utah’s senator; promotes limited government; grew up in Provo as a fourth-generation Utahn; is son of Rex E. Lee; holds degrees in political science and law from Brigham Young University.
Supporters point out that President Trump’s 2025 executive order banned federal funding for minor gender transitions—a policy now set forth more permanently through this proposed act.
