Montana State Senator John Fuller has introduced a bill targeting transgender youth for the fifth time in three years. This new legislation would criminalize gender-affirming care for trans patients under 16 years old, under child abuse statutes. Fuller has a track record of anti-trans laws, and critics argue that this bill would infringe on private decisions between families and doctors. If passed, Montana would be the first state to criminalize parents for allowing gender-affirming procedures and hormone therapy for their children.
This renewed attempt by Fuller may indicate the GOP’s plans to reconstruct Montana’s judiciary branch in favor of conservatism. Montana is facing a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, with over 10 anti-LGBTQ+ bills being introduced in 2023 alone. Fuller’s coalition of Montana Republicans is also targeting the judiciary branch by proposing bills to limit its scope and capacity for judicial review. They aim to change the current nonpartisan selection of judges to partisan elections, similar to only six other states, which could lead to increased partisanship among judges.
This strategy aligns with a national trend of attacking the independence of courts, with 29 states introducing 124 bills in 2023 to inject more politics into judicial selection. Critics argue that these efforts could jeopardize the neutrality of the courts and create a dangerous legal precedent if successful. The ACLU of Montana and other advocates are pushing back against these efforts, highlighting the potential consequences for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families if these bills are passed.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.