H.R. 3688: Protecting Children from Experimentation Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, titled the Protecting Children from Experimentation Act of 2025, aims to prohibit gender transition procedures for minors. Here is a summary of its provisions:

Prohibition of Gender Transition Procedures

The bill introduces a new legal section that defines and prohibits any physical or mental health care professional from knowingly performing or aiding gender transition procedures on individuals under the age of 18. Violations may result in a fine, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

Definition of Gender Transition Procedures

The bill defines gender transition procedures to include a wide range of medical interventions aimed at gender transition, such as:

Hormonal treatments (e.g., puberty blockers, testosterone, estrogen)
Surgical procedures (e.g., castration, mastectomy, vaginoplasty, and others)
Any other interventions that alter physiological features.

Civil Action Rights

Individuals who undergo gender transition procedures prohibited by this bill can pursue civil actions for damages against the professionals involved in their care.

Exemptions from Prohibition

The bill provides specific exemptions where gender transition procedures may still be permitted. These include:

Individuals with medically verifiable disorders of sex development.
Treatments for infections, diseases, or injuries exacerbated by prior gender transition procedures.
Procedures addressing imminent physical danger to health.
Puberty suppression for minors experiencing precocious puberty.
Male circumcision.

Definitions Related to the Bill

Key terms defined in the bill include:

Minor: An individual under 18 years of age.
Male and Female: Definitions based on biological characteristics concerned with reproduction.
Gender transition: The process of transitioning from one's assigned sex to a self-identified gender that differs from that sex.

Legal Context

This bill amends Chapter 110 of Title 18 in the United States Code, which pertains to prohibitions on certain harmful actions. The addition seeks to address legal consequences for those performing prohibited procedures on minors in various legal contexts, particularly concerning interstate commerce.