Florida Lawmakers Advance Bills to Criminalize Aiding Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth

Florida's 2026 legislative session has seen Republican sponsors introduce bills to broaden the state's prohibition on gender-affirming care for transgender youth, targeting not only providers but anyone assisting them. House Bill 743, sponsored by Rep. Lauren Melo , and its Senate companion SB 1010, sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough , would classify "aiding and abetting"gender-affirming care—such as hormone treatments—for people under 18 as a felony, building on the 2023 law that already criminalizes direct provision of such care by doctors.

The proposals passed committee votes in both chambers this week, signaling momentum toward full floor consideration. Under the bills, the state attorney general would gain authority to launch investigations and file civil lawsuits against professionals involved. Rep. Melo described the measure as a tool to address "bad actors"committing fraud by misusing diagnostic codes to circumvent the ban, noting that transitioning treatments cost "hundreds of thousands of dollars per child. She confirmed during a House committee hearing that pharmacists filling related prescriptions could face charges if the bill passes.

Sen. Yarborough, who helped enact the original 2023 ban, echoed the need to "hold bad actors accountable"and protect Florida's children during his Senate committee hearing. Critics from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, however, argue the "aid and abet"language is dangerously vague, potentially criminalizing everyday health care interactions with transgender minors. Jon Harris Maurer, public policy director at Equality Florida, stated, "The undefined aid and abet provision at the heart of this bill turns routine care into a trap. A nurse drawing blood, a pharmacist filling a prescription, or a counselor providing therapy, could all be targeted if the attorney general decides that they quote, unquote, assisted in care.

Equality Florida Executive Director Stratton Pollitzer, speaking at a January press conference, called the bills "more lawsuits for teachers and doctors"legislation, warning it expands state power over counselors and educators supporting transgender young people. He described them as "smoke bombs"distracting from issues like housing costs and insurance rates. Behavioral health therapist Savannah Thompson told WFSU public radio that the bills could heighten fear among her underage clients and deter professionals from offering honest support. "This could increase the feelings of fear from my clients who are under 18, but it also can increase the likelihood that these professionals won’t be able to talk with their clients honestly and openly to give them the care and the support that they deserve and need, Thompson said.

Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about concentrating investigative power in the attorney general's office. Rep. Kelly Skidmore argued during the House hearing that the bill grants excessive authority to one individual, stating, "They’ve proven that they cannot be trusted. This is a terrible bill. Pollitzer expressed optimism, citing last year's failure of similar anti-LGBTQ+ proposals despite their introduction. These bills form part of a broader 2026 slate targeting LGBTQ+ rights, including measures to restrict workplace discussions of gender identity and ban certain flags in government buildings, as tracked by Equality Florida. The existing gender-affirming care ban remains in effect amid ongoing lawsuits.

Advocates emphasize that gender-affirming care, supported by major medical organizations, is essential for the well-being of transgender youth, and further restrictions could exacerbate mental health challenges in a state already limiting such support. As the session progresses, the fate of HB 743 and SB 1010 will hinge on floor votes and potential amendments.