HB1916

House Bill 1916 amends the 'Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act of 2023' in Arkansas by explicitly including gender-affirming interventions, such as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone therapy, within the scope of the act. It establishes that healthcare professionals performing these interventions on minors can be held liable for civil damages if the minor sustains physical, psychological, emotional, or physiological injury. The bill outlines a private right of action, allowing minors or their representatives to sue for declaratory relief, compensatory damages, and punitive damages, with a statute of limitations extending 15 years past the age of majority. It also provides a 'safe harbor' defense for medical professionals, provided they meet specific, rigorous diagnostic and documentation requirements. Furthermore, the bill mandates a specific, detailed informed consent disclosure that must be provided to parents and minors, which warns of various medical risks, uncertainties, and potential long-term side effects associated with these treatments. Failure to adhere to these strict requirements subjects providers to potential litigation.