HB1916 seeks to expand the Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act of 2023 by creating new civil liability for healthcare providers who offer gender-affirming care to transgender youth. This bill explicitly includes puberty blockers and hormone therapy as grounds for a malpractice lawsuit and establishes an unusually long 15-year window to file such claims after a minor turns 18.
The ACLU of Arkansas opposes HB1916 because it is a direct attack on transgender youth, their families, and the medical professionals who provide them with safe, evidence-based care. The bill spreads misinformation, undermines trusted medical guidance, and seeks to intimidate healthcare providers with lawsuits — effectively creating a chilling effect that puts trans lives at risk. All Arkansans deserve access to healthcare without fear of political interference or discrimination.
