The GUARD Act would amend federal child abuse prevention law to penalize states financially if they take action against parents or guardians who oppose gender-affirming medical or social treatments for minors. Specifically, states would lose eligibility for federal funding under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act if they discriminate against parents who refuse medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, or psychological interventions related to a child's gender identity, as well as social changes like name, pronoun, or clothing choices. The bill defines gender identity as inconsistent with biological sex "as determined definitively at or before birth," regardless of any medical diagnosis. The legislation would allow affected parents or guardians to sue in federal or state court to stop federal funding to states they believe violated this requirement and to force those states to return previously awarded funds. The bill does not specify an effective date or appropriations amount, leaving enforcement mechanisms and funding timelines to be determined through the normal legislative process.
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