Files brief in support of Tennessee Youth Health Protection Act

HELENA, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte on Oct 9th, filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Tennessee laws protecting children from permanent, life-altering and experimental medical and surgical procedures that remain unsettled science.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear United States v. Skrmetti, a challenge brought by the Biden administration to a Tennessee law which, like Montana’s Youth Health Protection Act, aims to protect children from permanent, life-altering medical and surgical treatments. The Court is expected to hear oral arguments later this year.

In 2023, Gov. Gianforte signed into law Senate Bill 99, Montana’s Youth Protection Act, as part of his commitment to protect children from invasive medical treatments that can permanently alter their healthy, developing bodies. In February, the governor filed a brief before the Montana Supreme Court defending the “commonsense law” and asking the Court to allow it to go into effect.

In his brief, the governor asks the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Tennessee law as it is specifically targeted to protect minor children, writing, “Society has an interest in protecting its children because family is the building block of a free society. This interest is made legally tangible in the recognition of the States’ policy power to protect health and safety of its citizens, which necessarily includes children.”

Gov. Gianforte also emphasizes, “Children who struggle with gender identity deserve love, compassion, and respect. They deserve no ridicule, animus, or seclusion. They are entitled to protection, not exploitation. While their young minds and bodies are still developing, they should not be subjected to experimental and permanent, life-altering medical and surgical procedures.”

The governor continues, affirming, “It is within this framework that Tennessee, like Montana and other states, has adopted laws that prohibit certain medical treatments for minors as a response to gender dysphoria. In doing so, they join other more progressive countries, like Norway, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Denmark, which have likewise prohibited or restricted such treatments for children through either law or medical policy.”

The governor concludes, “Montana joins Tennessee (and other states who have similar laws) in its effort to ensure the next generation has the ability to perform great feats, solve thorny problems, create things of great beauty, and persevere through any struggle.”

The governor’s full amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court may be viewed here.