Kansas governor vetoes bill banning transgender treatments for minors

Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed legislation that would have banned gender-affirming care treatment for minors. 

“This divisive legislation targets a small group of Kansans by placing government mandates on them and dictating to parents how to best raise and care for their children,” Kelly said in a statement Friday, announcing her veto. “I do not believe that is a conservative value, and it’s certainly not a Kansas value.”

She added that the bill goes against parental rights and that the government should not be in "between a parent and a child who needed medical care of any kind.”

The bill would have banned hormones and transgender surgeries for those under 18. Kelly vetoed similar legislation the prior year. 

As of now, 24 states have laws in place where gender-affirming care for those under 18 is banned or restricted, according to Med Page.