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

The legislation would remove the sunset on the state's existing restrictions on gender-affirming care for youth.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Missouri House has passed a bill that would permanently prohibit doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to transgender minors in the state. The legislation, which was approved along party lines, would remove the sunset provision on the state's existing restrictions on gender-affirming care for those under 18. Democrats argued the bill represents government overreach into personal healthcare decisions, while Republicans cited recent medical guidance to justify the permanent ban.

Why it matters

This bill is the latest effort by Missouri lawmakers to further restrict access to gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth in the state. The permanent ban on puberty blockers and hormones would significantly limit the options available to transgender minors and their families, despite opposition from major medical organizations that support the use of these treatments.

The details

The bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, passed the House with 102 Republicans voting in favor and 40 Democrats voting against. Two Democratic representatives voted 'present.' The legislation would not change the state's existing ban on gender-affirming surgeries for those under 18, but would remove the sunset provision on the restrictions for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones that were enacted in 2023. Democrats argued the bill represents government overreach into personal healthcare decisions, while Republicans cited recent medical guidance to justify the permanent ban.

  • The Missouri House passed the legislation on February 13, 2026.
  • In 2023, Missouri lawmakers first passed restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors.

The players

Melissa Schmidt

A Republican state representative from Eldridge, Missouri and 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 bill, saying the legislature should not be "inserting ourselves in the living rooms of Missourians."

Jeff Hales

A Democratic state representative from University City who called the legislation an "overreach" and said it tells parents "the state knows better than they do on how to care for their own flesh and blood."

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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 (kttn.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 (kttn.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 (kttn.com)

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Missouri Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

This legislation represents the latest effort by Missouri lawmakers to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth in the state, despite opposition from major medical organizations. The permanent ban on puberty blockers and hormones would significantly limit options for transgender minors and their families, raising concerns about government overreach into personal healthcare decisions.