# Plain Language Summary: The No Harm Act

This bill would prohibit the use of federal money to pay for gender-transition medical treatments for minors under age 18. This includes puberty-blocking drugs, hormone therapy, and surgeries related to gender transition. The bill defines these treatments broadly and would cut off federal funding to hospitals, clinics, schools, and other institutions that provide these services to minors without parental consent.

The bill creates several enforcement mechanisms. Any taxpayer could sue the federal government or relevant agencies if they believe federal funds are being used for these treatments. States that allow gender-transition treatments for minors without both parents' written consent would lose federal Medicaid and welfare funding. Medical providers who perform these treatments on minors without meeting strict requirements—including a consultation with parents at least 72 hours before treatment and a written list of potential side effects—could be sued by the minor or their parents. Individuals who received these treatments as minors could sue providers up to 30 years after turning 18, potentially receiving triple damages plus attorney fees if successful.

The bill also protects healthcare providers and workers who refuse to participate in gender-transition treatments. States cannot require providers to offer these treatments, and providers cannot face penalties or discrimination for declining to participate. Schools that receive federal funding cannot allow staff to help students access these treatments without notifying and getting written approval from parents. The bill includes narrow exceptions for treating intersex conditions and for addressing complications from previous treatments.

No Harm Act

Onder, Robert F.

No Harm ActThis bill prohibits federal funding for sex-trait altering treatment for minors, authorizes civil actions for harm caused by such procedures, and subjects certain procedures to potential criminal penalties. The bill defines&nbsp;sex-trait altering treatment as generally meaning medical treatment altering the physical or physiological characteristics of an individual’s biological sex (except for treating sexual development disorders, severe injuries, or injuries caused by sex-trait altering treatments).The bill prohibits federal funds for<ul><li>supporting sex-trait altering treatment for minors,</li><li>government regulatory action promoting such treatment,</li><li>medical institutions providing such treatment, and</li><li>elementary or secondary schools allowing school personnel to provide or support such treatment&nbsp;without parental consent.</li></ul> The bill prohibits discrimination against, or penalization of, providers who decline to perform such treatment. Additionally, parents of a minor have a right to decline such treatment for the minor. States that require providers to furnish such treatment, or that do not require parental consent, may not receive certain federal funds.The bill establishes a private right of action against health care providers for harm caused by such treatment or for not obtaining parental consent. It also generally establishes a private right of action against individuals or entities that violate the bill's other provisions.Finally, the bill makes changes to the existing federal criminal prohibition on performing female genital mutilation on a minor. The bill specifies that the performance of sex-altering surgery on a minor is not considered medically necessary and thus may be subject to the applicable criminal penalties.