Missouri House Passes Bill to Permanently Ban Puberty Blockers and Hormones for Transgender Minors

The legislation now heads to the state Senate for approval after a party-line vote in the House.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Missouri House passed a bill on Thursday that would permanently prohibit doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to transgender minors. The legislation, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, was approved along party lines with 102 Republicans voting in favor and 40 Democrats voting against. The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

Why it matters

This bill is the latest effort by Missouri lawmakers to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth in the state. While the state already has a law banning such treatments, this new legislation would make the ban permanent, removing the sunset provision that was previously in place.

The details

The bill would not change the state's existing ban on gender-affirming surgeries for those under 18, but it would impact access to puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. During the House debate, Rep. Schmidt said she supports a 'watchful waiting' approach to gender dysphoria, advocating for counseling over medical intervention. Democrats argued that the state legislature should not be dictating personal healthcare decisions for families and their medical providers.

  • The Missouri House passed the legislation on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • In 2023, Missouri lawmakers first passed restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors.
  • Last year, a proposal to remove the sunset provision on the 2023 law was approved at the committee level but ultimately stalled in the House.

The players

Melissa Schmidt

A Republican state representative from Eldridge, Missouri who is the sponsor of the bill to permanently ban puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for transgender minors.

Chanel Mosley

A Democratic state representative from Black Jack, Missouri who voted 'present' on the bill.

Stephanie Boykin

A Democratic state representative from Florissant, Missouri who voted 'present' on the bill.

Marty Joe Murrary

A Democratic state representative from St. Louis who argued against the legislature inserting itself in personal healthcare decisions.

Jeff Hales

A Democratic state representative from University City who called the legislation an 'overreach'.

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What they’re saying

“Children become confused in many areas of their lives. They have many questions throughout their years of development, and we have a responsibility to speak the truth.”

— Melissa Schmidt, Republican state representative (heartlandsignal.com)

“Why are we so focused on inserting ourselves in the living rooms of Missourians all across the state? When a child and a parent, they have a right to make a decision about the health care decisions for people in their household. Why are we better able to dictate that than themselves and their medical professional?”

— Marty Joe Murrary, Democratic state representative (heartlandsignal.com)

“By passing this, we are telling parents that the state knows better than they do on how to care for their own flesh and blood. We are telling doctors that their years of medical expertise are secondary to our desires to scapegoat and target a vulnerable minority.”

— Jeff Hales, Democratic state representative (heartlandsignal.com)

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Missouri Senate for consideration and a potential vote.

The takeaway

This legislation reflects the ongoing debate in Missouri and across the country over access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Supporters argue it protects vulnerable children, while opponents view it as government overreach that undermines parental rights and medical expertise.