Finchem Bill Would End Elective Gender Changing Drugs

PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate recently approved Senate Bill SB1095, a measure that would expand Arizona’s existing restrictions on gender-transition care for minors. The bill bars physicians and other health professionals from providing or referring patients under 18 for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, in addition to already-illegal “irreversible gender reassignment surgery.” 

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mark Finchem, R-Prescott, passed on a largely party-line vote and was transmitted to the House for consideration. Under the proposal, “puberty-blocking drugs” are defined to include gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs and other synthetic drugs used to suppress pubertal development when used for the purpose of assisting a minor with a gender transition. 

Supporters argued that lawmakers should intervene because minors cannot make life-altering medical decisions.

“The operable word in this bill is ‘minors,’ not adults capable of making long-term decisions,” Finchem said during debate. 

Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, also backed the proposal, saying, “We are now starting to see these children grow up.” 

Democrats countered that the legislation overrides accepted medical standards, targeting a small, vulnerable population. “

Blocking access to these drugs for the minors who rely upon them is cruel and dehumanizing,” said Sen. Lauren Kuby, D-Tempe. 

Sen. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix, warned the bill could set a precedent for legislative intrusion into health care decisions beyond gender dysphoria treatment. “If we pass something as broad and far-reaching as SB 1095 for one medical treatment today, what stops this body from doing it to other medical treatments or procedures?” Ortiz said. 

As drafted, SB1095 includes limited exceptions for certain medically verifiable disorders of sex development and for emergencies in which a physician determines a patient faces imminent danger of death or impairment of a major bodily function without intervention. The bill also delays its effective date until March 31, 2027, stating the intent is to allow minors currently receiving puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones time to taper and discontinue medication under medical supervision. 

Arizona already criminalizes “irreversible gender reassignment surgery” on minors under a 2022 law, but SB1095 would broaden restrictions to encompass puberty blockers and hormone treatments for minors when used for gender transition. 

The measure now heads to the Arizona House, where Republican leaders have advanced multiple bills this session addressing gender identity issues in schools and health care, while Gov. Katie Hobbs has previously vetoed several similar proposals in past sessions.