Senate Republicans Advance Bold Reforms to Protect Minors from Permanent Gender Mutilation Surgeries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 19, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Arizona Senate Republicans are advancing a sweeping legislative package to protect minors from permanent gender mutilation surgeries and other irreversible gender transition procedures.
SB 1014, sponsored by former Majority Leader Janae Shamp, prohibits health insurers that offer coverage for gender transition services from denying coverage for detransition services. It also requires specified health care providers who perform gender transition services to provide detransition services.
SB 1177, sponsored by Senator Wendy Rogers, prohibits the use of public funds for gender transition procedures and establishes clear fiscal guardrails to prevent taxpayer funds from being used for such services.
SB 1094, sponsored by Majority Leader John Kavanagh, establishes civil liability for physicians who perform irreversible gender reassignment surgeries on minors. It also specifies recoverable damages and sets forth an extended statute of limitations for affected individuals to seek legal recourse.
SB 1095, sponsored by Senator Mark Finchem, prohibits physicians and other health professionals from providing gender transition procedures to individuals under 18 years of age and creates enforceable protections to prevent permanent medical interventions on minors.
"Detransitioners are people too; they deserve the same care as those who are manipulated into believing they have gender dysphoria, which leads them to undergo gender transition surgery that they later regret," said Former Majority Leader Shamp. "This legislative package puts their long-term well-being above politics and ideology."
"Taxpayer dollars should never be used to bankroll irreversible procedures on children," said Senator Rogers. "This legislation draws a hard line and makes clear that public funds will not subsidize experimental or life-altering interventions on minors."
"When permanent procedures are performed on minors who suffer harm, there must be consequences," said Majority Leader Kavanagh. "These reforms restore transparency and provide a pathway to just compensation for those harmed."
"We will not stand by while children are subjected to irreversible medical interventions," said Senator Finchem. "Republicans are taking a firm and unapologetic stand to defend minors, protect families, and ensure that childhood is not sacrificed to radical medical agendas."
All of these bills are moving to the Senate floor for a full vote after passing their respective committees with only Republican support.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus