FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2023

BREAKING: SD Governor Noem Protects Minors from “Transition” Procedures

The new Help Not Harm Act protects minors from dangerous transgender interventions

Today, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed HB 1080, the Help Not Harm Act, making her the first governor to sign a bill protecting vulnerable children from both sex-change surgeries and experimental hormones aimed at “transition.” The bill holds healthcare professionals accountable by providing child victims an opportunity to sue for damages.

South Dakota is the second state in the nation to pass a law of this kind.

Autumn Leva, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Family Policy Alliance, responded:

“Today, South Dakota has sent a clear message: they take child safety seriously. When a child is deeply struggling, he or she deserves meaningful help – not the harm of hormones and surgery.

“And these interventions do cause serious harm. They often leave young people sterile, with a variety of irreversible maladies and physical changes, and the deep pain of regret. All this can happen before a child is even old enough to buy cough syrup over the counter.

“This bill is standing in the gap.

“We are so grateful for the tireless work of our friends and allies at Family Heritage Alliance, who shepherded this bill throughout the process. And, we applaud and admire the bravery of House sponsor Rep. Bethany Soye, who is a graduate of our sister Foundation’s Statesmen Academy, and her cosponsor, Rep. Al Novstrup.

“We are thankful, too, for Governor Noem’s decision to sign the bill, making her the first governor in the country to sign a full Help Not Harm bill. In the face of very loud opposition, we are grateful that she stayed committed to protecting South Dakota’s children.”

Family Policy Alliance (FPA) first began work on protecting minors from transgender interventions in 2017, when the group first drafted an early version of what is now the Help Not Harm Act. In 2021, FPA launched its Help Not Harm campaign following the passage of Arkansas’s SAFE Act (the first successful bill in the nation to offer these protections).

Currently, at least nine other states around the nation are considering a version of Help Not Harm legislation.

Media Contact:

Robert Noland, (719) 308-2822, Media@FamilyPolicyAlliance.com

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Family Policy Alliance advances biblical citizenship and promotes public policy that protects religious freedom, families, and life.