To amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to disqualify any State that discriminates against parents or guardians who oppose medical, surgical, pharmacological, psychological treatment, or clothing and social changes related to affirming the subjective claims of gender identity expressed by any minor if such claimed identity is inconsistent with such minor’s biological sex from receiving funding under such Act.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · November 7, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
The GUARD Act would amend federal child abuse prevention funding rules to penalize states that take action against parents or guardians who refuse to support gender-affirming medical, surgical, or social treatments for minors. The bill defines such opposition as a protected parental right and would disqualify states from receiving funding under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act if they take adverse action against parents for refusing these treatments or social changes related to gender identity. The legislation allows parents, guardians, or legal representatives who experience discrimination from a state receiving such federal funding to sue in federal or state court to stop the state's funding and require the state to return the awarded money to the treasury. The bill does not specify any new funding amounts or implementation timelines beyond establishing these enforcement mechanisms through the courts. This legislation would primarily affect child welfare agencies and parents involved in disputes over gender-related medical or social decisions for minors.
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