Idaho Republicans pass House bill forcing doctors to out transgender kids

"This loophole needs to be closed about parental knowledge. Parents who believed schools were withholding information about their children prompted the legislation's sponsor, Republican Rep. Bruce Skaug, to argue during debate that the bill is about restoring parental authority and ensuring parents have knowledge of their children's requests for social transition."

"Critics say the bill would conscript educators and doctors into policing gender identity and fracture the fragile trust that often exists between vulnerable students and the adults meant to support them. The measure also carries unusually severe penalties, with parents able to sue professionals who fail to report a child's gender identity and the Idaho attorney general authorized to impose fines of up to $100,000."

Idaho House Bill 822 passed 59-9, mandating that educators, healthcare providers, and child care workers notify parents within 3 days if minors request social transition. Social transition is broadly defined to include name or pronoun changes, bathroom access, sports participation, and overnight accommodations aligned with different gender identity. Sponsor Bruce Skaug framed the bill as restoring parental authority and closing a perceived loophole about parental knowledge. Critics argue the legislation conscripts professionals into policing gender identity and damages trust between vulnerable students and supportive adults. The bill imposes severe penalties, allowing parents to sue non-compliant professionals and authorizing the Idaho attorney general to impose fines up to $100,000.

Read at Advocate.com