This bill, named the Chloe Cole Act, would ban doctors, hospitals, and clinics from providing certain medical treatments to children under 18 that are intended to change their physical appearance or biological functions related to sex. Specifically, it prohibits puberty blockers, sex hormones, and surgeries designed for these purposes. The bill does carve out exceptions for treating intersex conditions (where someone is born with ambiguous sex characteristics), addressing infections or injuries caused by previous treatments, treating other medical conditions unrelated to sex transition, and providing detransition care (treatments that reverse or help someone cope with previous transition-related medical care).

The bill creates a legal pathway for people who received these treatments as minors—or their parents—to sue doctors, hospitals, or clinics for damages. Those suing could recover money for medical costs to undo or correct the effects, compensation for emotional distress and pain, and potentially punitive damages if they can prove the medical provider acted maliciously or recklessly. Healthcare providers would be strictly liable if they're found to have violated the ban, meaning they'd be responsible for damages without needing to prove negligence. The bill applies to treatments provided before or after it becomes law, and people have up to 25 years after turning 18 to file a lawsuit. The law only applies when there's a connection to interstate commerce—such as traveling across state lines for treatment, using mail or electronic communications, or making payments across state lines.