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Rep. Noah Sanford
The 2023 legislative session, which began Tuesday, January 3, has just now begun to get underway in earnest, as bills began to be referred to various committees within the last few weeks.
The most notable bill to have been considered thus far is House Bill 1125, dubbed the REAP (Regulate Experimental Adolescent Procedures) Act. The Act prohibits healthcare professionals and facilities from performing procedures, hormone therapies, or related treatments on a child under age 18, when such procedures/treatments are done with the intention of changing the minor’s gender.
After debate of more than two hours in committee and on the floor, the bill ultimately passed by a vote of 78-28. Proponents argued that, like in many other areas of the law, the state has a responsibility to protect minors. In addition, those in favor cited examples of some adults who had surgery as children and later regretted it; unfortunately for them, many of these procedures are irreversible. Some opponents, on the other hand, argued that parents should be able to make such decisions for their children without interference from the state.
Over the next few weeks, hundreds of bills will be considered in House committees; those that do not get voted out will be dead for the year.
I appreciate the opportunity to serve. Please contact me if I may be of assistance or if you have questions or concerns.
Noah Sanford represents parts of Covington, Simpson, and Jefferson Davis Counties in the Mississippi House of Representatives. He can be reached at NSanford@house.ms.gov.
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
