COLUMBUS, Ohio — According to the bill’s authors, House Bill 454, also known as the Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act, has the goal of “protecting the health and safety of its citizens, especially vulnerable children.”

Opponents, however, say the bill would prohibit health care rights for children and teens experiencing gender dysphoria.

In its fifth hearing, five changes were made to amend the original.

Proposed Changes to HB 454:

• The bill now would prohibit physicians from performing gender reassignment surgery on minors or referring minors to a mental health professional for a gender-related condition without the knowledge of a parent or guardian, but the surgery is allowed 
• Patients would have to wait two years for any medical treatment regarding gender dsyphoria including hormone therapy or surgical procedures, rather than hormones being outlawed all together 
• All patients must be evaluated by a mental health professional for gender dysphoria 
• The bill added more language surrounding data
• It removed the statuatory right for private action 

Many gathered at the Ohio Statehouse, Wednesday morning, for another hearing on House Bill 454, also known as the SAFE Act. The bill has sparked controversy, because many feel it would prohibit certain health care rights for children and teens experiencing gender dysphoria.

The bill has already had four hearings, with witnesses testifying both for and against it.

During the fifth hearing, bill cosponsor Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, proposed amendments he said could appease both sides. 

“There have been some changes and those changes have been an effort on my part and on others to come to the middle, to listen to the concerns of others,” said Click. “They have to have that period to work though this to make sure this isn’t a phase, it’s not a social contagion such as ROGB, we want to give them that legitimate chance to work though this.” 

The recent changes would prohibit doctors from performing gender confirming surgery or prescribing treatment without a parent’s knowledge, would require a two-year wait period for any medical treatment and all children and teens experiencing gender dysphoria, would have to see a mental health provider.

Avery Anderson is a mental health professional and was one of the 20 people who testified in opposition to the bill. He said that even with the changes, many trans-youth don’t have support at home, and the amended bill would prohibit him from doing his job.

“Supporting their gender identity would help promote their mental health and so this bill would directly inhibit me from being able to support their gender identity, which conflicts with my priority as a mental health provider,” said Anderson. 

The Ohio Children’s Hospital Association was also at the hearing and said that their network of hospitals already provide a robust multidisciplinary care plan for adolescence experiencing gender dysphoria.

“The pediatric behavioral mental health crisis that is happening today for all kids would be exasperated if it passes the way it’s currently written,” said Nick Lashutka, President and CEO of the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association. 

Jeopardy! champion, Amy Schneider, also testified Wednesday. She’s been receiving gender-affirming care the past five years and said that it’s been the reason for her confidence and success.

“It has been the best thing that has happened to me in my life, it has improved my life in ways that I didn’t know it was going to and I have learned who I am and I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t gotten that,” said Schneider. 

 All the witnesses who opposed to the bill said that they would rather see their tax dollars go to mental health resources and health care rather than House Bill 454.

Parents of trans youth that testified, said that if the bill passed, they already have plans and resources in place to move out of the state due to them feeling their children wouldn’t receive the proper care and support in Ohio.