Stop Gender Trafficking of Minors Act
HB7420, titled the “Stop Gender Trafficking of Minors Act,” would create a new federal criminal offense for knowingly transporting a minor across state or foreign commerce, or using the mail or other interstate instrumentalities, to facilitate the minor obtaining a “gender transition procedure.” The bill defines that term broadly to include puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and certain surgeries intended to alter sex characteristics, and it expressly includes transportation connected to obtaining such medication or procedures. A violation would be punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.
The bill also creates a private right of action allowing a minor or the minor’s parent or legal guardian to sue for injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees. In addition, it would bar federal funds from being awarded to state or local governments that permit or encourage such cross-state transportation, declare themselves sanctuary jurisdictions for these procedures, or fail to cooperate with federal investigations or enforcement actions under the new law.
If enacted, HB7420 would add a new section 1205 to chapter 55 of title 18 of the U.S. Code, expanding federal criminal law into the area of interstate travel related to gender-affirming care for minors. It would also create a federal funding penalty for state and local governments that adopt policies viewed as supportive of cross-state access to these procedures, potentially affecting public health agencies, school-related policies, and other governmental entities that interact with minors and families seeking care. The bill would directly affect minors, parents or guardians, medical providers indirectly through enforcement risk, and state and local governments through both compliance obligations and funding exposure.
The bill appears strongly supported by its sponsors and framed in the text as a child-protection measure, with findings emphasizing medical caution, detransition, and the federal interest in preventing harm. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no recorded bipartisan debate or formal vote outcome in the supplied materials. Based on the bill language alone, the measure is presented in a highly assertive and restrictive posture toward gender-affirming care for minors.
The central point of contention is the bill’s attempt to criminalize interstate transportation connected to gender transition procedures for minors, which opponents would likely view as an intrusion into family decision-making, medical practice, and state authority over health care. Supporters, reflected in the findings, argue that minors need protection from irreversible or harmful interventions and that federal action is justified under the Commerce Clause. Another likely flashpoint is the federal funding prohibition, which would pressure states and localities that protect or facilitate access to such care and could be seen as penalizing so-called sanctuary policies.