Arizona lawmakers are advancing legislation to ban gender transition procedures for minors, with State Sen. Mark Finchem introducing Senate Bill 1095 this week. The bill would prohibit puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical gender transition procedures for individuals under 18.
Finchem, a Republican from Prescott, said the legislation is designed to protect minors during a time of life that can be turbulent. “Adolescence can be a very confusing time for some kids,” Finchem told The Center Square. “I want to make sure we are giving our youth time to work through whatever their issue might be before they make a permanent change in their life because it can’t be undone.”
SB 1095 explicitly restricts public funding for gender transition procedures for minors. It would block Arizona’s Medicaid program from covering such treatments and prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used in any form. The bill also includes provisions for legal recourse. If a minor or parent believes they were not adequately informed of the risks, they would have the right to sue medical providers. Arizona courts could award damages, injunctions, and attorney fees under the bill.
Further enforcement measures empower the state attorney general to act on behalf of affected individuals and ensure compliance. Medical professionals found in violation of SB 1095 would face disciplinary action for “unprofessional conduct” from relevant licensing boards.
The bill outlines narrow exceptions for gender-related medical interventions, including situations involving medical emergencies, sex development disorders, or complications from previous procedures. Importantly, the legislation allows minors currently undergoing hormone treatments or puberty blockers time to safely taper off under medical supervision. If enacted, the law would take effect after March 31, 2027.
According to a 2025 UCLA study, approximately 15,700 Arizona residents aged 13 to 17 identify as transgender. The legislation stands in direct contrast to past actions by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, who in 2023 signed an executive order mandating that state employee health plans cover gender transition surgeries.
SB 1095 aligns with a broader movement across red states to protect minors from irreversible gender procedures. Supporters argue that children cannot consent to life-altering medical changes and should not be exposed to ideological pressures that push radical treatments during formative years.
