Missouri governor signs several laws, including on transgender athletics, health care

Gov. Mike Parson signed several bills into law Wednesday morning, including one that prevents schools from allowing transgender girls from participating on girls sports teams and another that prevents minors from receiving gender-affirming medication or surgery, according to a press release from Parson's office.

At the end of April, Parson had said that he would mandate a a special session if the House and Senate could not pass those bills in regular session.

Senate Bill 39, which was sponsored by Sen. Holly Rehder of District 27, prohibits private and public elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions from allowing transgender girls and women to participate on girls and women's sports teams.

Schools that allow transgender girls and women to participate on girls and women's sports teams "shall not receive any state aid or other revenues from the state." The bill also allows guardians and students to seek injunctive or other equitable relief if they were "deprived of an athletic opportunity as a result of a violation of the act."

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"Women and girls deserve and have fought for an equal opportunity to succeed, and with this legislation today, we stand up to the nonsense and stand with them as they take back their sport competitions," Parson said in a press release. "In Missouri, we support real fairness, not injustice disguised as social righteousness."

SB 49, which was sponsored by Sen. Mike Moon of Ash Grove, prevents health care providers from performing gender-affirmation surgery or administering gender-affirmation hormones or drugs. It also bars MO HealthNet, which is Missouri's Medicaid program, from providing payment for gender-affirming surgeries and hormones, and puberty-blocking drugs.

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The bill also stipulates that "elective gender transition surgeries" are not included in the health care services provided to incarcerated individuals in Missouri.

"The above provisions ensure Missouri taxpayer dollars are not spent on elective gender transition procedures," the press release said.

Parson also signed other bills into law today, including:

• House Bill 131, which allows biweekly pay for state team members;

• SB 167, which modifies requirements for medical examiner's certificates for commercial driver's licenses (CDL);

• SB 111, which eliminates the Personnel Advisory Board;

• SB 25, which authorizes state income tax deductions for federal grants expanding broadband access; and

• SB 13, which modifies provisions related to the regulation of financial institutions.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Gov. Parson signs transgender athletics, health care bills into law