Puerto Rico’s new legislation stipulates penalties including a 15-year prison sentence, a $50,000 fine, and the cancellation of all licenses and permits for those who violate it.
Puerto Rico has enacted a new law that prohibits gender reassignment surgery and hormone treatments for anyone under the age of 21, making it the most restrictive age limit of any similar law in the United States. This aligns with the federal government’s policies regarding gender.
The law, signed into effect on Wednesday, imposes severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 15 years and fines reaching $50,000, on individuals found guilty of performing surgeries or administering hormone replacement therapy to minors and young adults. It also requires the revocation of all licenses and permits held by medical professionals involved. The legislation also forbids the use of public funds for these treatments.
“Minors, lacking the necessary emotional, cognitive, and physical development, are particularly susceptible to making decisions with irreversible consequences,” states the legislation, which is scheduled to take effect in October.
Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ+ Federation has denounced the law as discriminatory and dangerous, cautioning that it will further isolate transgender youth and potentially lead them to seek unregulated or unsafe alternatives. Director Justin Jesus Santiago has pledged to challenge the law’s constitutionality in court, claiming it violates Puerto Rico’s constitution.
US President Donald Trump emphasized gender-related issues during his campaign last year. Since assuming office, he has issued executive orders asserting the government’s stance that “there are only two genders – male and female.”
These orders reverse protections for transgender rights and dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. They halt federal funding for medical procedures related to gender reassignment for minors, eliminate “radical gender ideology” from the US Armed Forces, and prevent transgender women from participating in women’s sports.
Trump’s approach has been criticized by civil rights and LGBTQ advocacy organizations. Several directives have faced legal challenges, with some orders being blocked by federal judges.
Puerto Rico’s law stands out among numerous similar measures passed in roughly half of the states. While the majority of these laws apply to individuals under 18, Puerto Rico extends the age limit to 21, establishing it as the strictest law currently enforced in any US jurisdiction.