SW News: Kevin Stitt, the Republican governor of US state Oklahoma has signed a bill that makes it a felony for healthcare providers to treat children with puberty-blocking hormones and drugs, making Oklahoma the latest state to outlaw gender-affirming medical care for minors.

The legislation says that if a health care provider administers gender transition procedures to any minor, he or she can be criminally prosecuted for a felony.  Healthcare providers can no longer be prosecuted once the child reaches the age of 45.

The bill said the child on whom the transition procedures were performed, their parents, legal guardians, or next friend can file a civil suit against a healthcare provider who provided the transition. Violating the law can result in revocation of one’s license to practice medicine.

As conservatives across the nation have targeted transgender rights, Oklahoma joins at least 15 other states with laws prohibiting such care.

The restriction was a top priority for this year's legislative session for Governor Stitt, who was reelected in November citing his desire to safeguard children.

Stitt passed legislation last year barring so-called transgender women and girls from joining female sports teams and prohibiting gender-confused kids from using toilets in schools that match their gender identity.

"Last year, I called for a statewide ban on all irreversible gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors so I am thrilled to sign this into law today and protect our kids. We cannot turn a blind eye to what’s happening across our nation, and as governor, I am proud to stand up for what’s right and ban life-altering transition surgeries on children in the state of Oklahoma," Stitt said.

The other states that have already passed legislation restricting or outlawing gender surgery on children include Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, South Dakota, and West Virginia.

Laws in Alabama and Arkansas cannot be enforced because of ongoing litigation.

Meanwhile, the new legislation earned praise from the organization representing the state’s Catholic bishops. “Having worked closely with House and Senate authors, we commend Gov. Stitt for swiftly signing S.B. 613 into law and adding Oklahoma to the list of states protecting children from these dangerous and irreversible procedures,” Brett Farley, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, said.