Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen approves regulations on gender-affirming care for minors

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen approved regulations Tuesday for minors receiving gender-affirming health care.

The Let Them Grow Act, which was signed into law last year, banned gender-affirming surgeries for minors.

It also required the state’s chief medical officer to adopt rules and regulations on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

Those regulations include requiring patients to receive at least 40 hours of therapy before being prescribed such medications.

Officials also established standards for the administration, prescription, delivery, sale or use of the drugs.

“Nebraska’s kids are our future. They deserve the opportunity to grow up and develop to their full, God-given potential,” Pillen said in a statement. “As a state, we must protect children from making potentially irreversible and regrettable decisions – decisions for which they may not completely understand the consequences. I extend my appreciation to the Legislature for the passage of LB 574 and to those at DHHS who worked swiftly and thoroughly to ensure completion of these important regulations.”

Patients are exempt from the requirements if they started receiving medication before Oct. 1, 2023, or have turned 19.

The regulations have been filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office and will go into effect in five days.