U.S. Senator Roger Marshall announced on Apr. 29 the introduction of the Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors (STOP) Act, a federal bill that would prohibit gender transition procedures for individuals under 18 and impose civil penalties up to $100,000 on those who perform them.
The legislation aims to address concerns about irreversible medical interventions on children and establishes a federal compensation fund for those seeking to detransition. The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Mike Lee and was introduced in the House by Representative Diana Harshbarger.
Marshall said, “As an OB-GYN with over two decades of clinical experience, I know firsthand what these irreversible procedures do to children. These are not medical treatments — they are child abuse. The STOP Act sends a clear message: if you harm a child by performing these procedures, there will be serious consequences. Our children deserve nothing less.”
Lee said, “There are kids in America receiving life-altering gender surgeries before they graduate high school. There are kids being given hormone blockers that can cause bone loss, depression, and myriad other medical issues when they should be playing hopscotch and riding bikes. Our kids deserve safe childhoods and informed consent, but instead they have harmful procedures pushed on them by predatory doctors who won’t have to live with the consequences. I’m proud to cosponsor the STOP Act to outlaw risky gender transition procedures on minors, empower victims to sue for damages, and award the penalty funds from criminal doctors to their victims as recovery compensation.”
Harshbarger said she supports the measure as both a pharmacist and mother: “The STOP Act draws a clear line: irreversible sex-rejecting procedures should not be performed on minors. It builds on my home state of Tennessee’s law… affirming that protecting children from these dangerous interventions is a compelling government interest.”
Terry Schilling of American Principles Project added support: “No child is born in the wrong body—they just have the wrong doctor… The transgender industry has built a $4 billion empire fueled by the sterilization and mutilation of vulnerable adults and children.” Dr. Gary Hollingsworth from ERLC also commented: “Our government has a responsibility to safeguard its citizens… we are encouraged to see legislation that prioritizes their protection.”
Marshall’s office provides services such as military academy nominations, assistance with federal agencies, American flag requests, internships and tour arrangements for Kansas residents according to his official website. He served seven years in the U.S. Army Reserves according to his official website. Marshall grew up as a fifth-generation farm kid; he was also the first in his family to pursue higher education according to his official website, earning degrees from Butler County Community College, Kansas State University and University of Kansas School of Medicine according to his official website. He chairs subcommittees related to agriculture conservation as well as health policy areas within Congress according to his official website.
Further details about exclusive coverage or full text of this bill were referenced but not included directly.
