Frankel reintroduces Protection of Trans Kids and Their Families Act
Bill would get politicians out of pediatricians’ offices and allow medical decision to be based on science -- not cable news
Rep. Dan B. Frankel June 30, 2025 | 10:27 AM
HARRISBURG, June 30 – House Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today to shield gender diverse youth and their families amid a spike in harmful, inaccurate rhetoric and dangerous state policies across the nation.
The Protection of Trans Kids and Their Families Act would make clear that accessing medically accurate, medically appropriate treatment for a child may never be used as the basis of the child abuse investigation or judgement. It also would block state and local governments from interfering with those treatments.
“Let doctors treat patients, and let families care for their kids,” Frankel said. “This bill simply allows families to focus on what the research says and what’s best for their child – not whether their county is red or blue.”
The legislation would provide clarity and protection for families and providers who have expressed growing fears about politically motivated investigations or accusations.
Rep. Jessica Benham, D–Allegheny, who co-chairs the Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, voiced strong support for the bill.
“The spread of toxic misinformation about transgender people moving through the nation is impacting the well-being of trans people and their families,” Benham said. “This legislation allows us to take a stand and uphold our commitment to ensuring that all families, including those with LGBTQ+ youth, feel supported and protected.
“Our policies should be rooted in compassion and science, not fear or politics.”
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender affirming care for youth. That ruling followed several unprecedented actions from President Donald Trump, which have endangered most evidence-based treatments for gender dysphoria among young people, prompting alarm among families, physicians and civil rights advocates.
Frankel noted that every major medical association in the United States recognizes the necessity of transition-related care as a treatment option for improving the physical and mental health of transgender people. Study after study has shown that forgoing gender-affirming care can have tragic consequences.
Empirical evidence has well established that trans and non-binary gender identities are normal variations of human identity and expression. For gender diverse individuals, standards of care and accepted medically necessary services that affirm gender or treat gender dysphoria almost entirely consist of mental health counseling, non-medical social transition, and gender-affirming hormone therapy.
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