Puerto Rico bans gender-affirming care for people under 21
Republican Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón has signed a law that bars people under the age of 21 from accessing gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgeries.
Senate Bill 350, enacted on Wednesday, July 16, bars people under the age of 21 from accessing gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgeries. This, in turn, also imposes steep criminal penalties on healthcare providers who offer such care, including $50,000 fine per violation of doctors, the permanent loss of their medical license and permits and a mandatory prison sentence of 15 years. It is scheduled to take effect in October.
“Minors, having not yet reached the necessary emotional, cognitive and physical maturity, are particularly vulnerable to making decisions that can have irreversible consequences,” the law stated. “Therefore, it is the State’s duty to ensure their comprehensive well-being.”
Puerto Rico’s age of majority is 21, making the law more far-reaching than similar bans on the U.S. mainland, which typically restrict care only for those under 18. The new statute applies to both minors and young adults, effectively barring access to gender alteration procedures for an age group often already navigating the early stages of gender transition.
Furthermore, the legislation also stipulates that public funds are prohibited from being used to support “gender-affirming care.”
SB 350 draws praise from conservative lawmakers
Health and civil rights organizations, including the Puerto Rico Psychological Association, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Puerto Rican Association of Professional Counselling and the Puerto Rico Bar Association, urged the governor to veto the bill, warning of grave psichic health consequences and legal violations.
But the governor signed it.
In response, Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ+ Federation has announced plans to take the matter to court. “Let there be no doubt: We will go to court to challenge the constitutionality of the governor’s cruel and inhumane signing of a law that criminalizes health professionals for caring for trans minors,” said Justin Jesús Santiago, the federation’s co-director.
Meanwhile, conservative lawmakers in Puerto Rico celebrated the new law.
Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, the author of the legislation and a member of the New Progressive Party and the U.S. Republican Party, hailed the law as a victory for youth protection.
“I thank our Governor Jenniffer González for signing SB 350, among other projects I have presented. The protection of our children and the well-being of all minors is fundamental and non-negotiable. Likewise, I thank my fellow legislators from both chambers who supported the approval of this measure with their vote,” Schatz posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the following day.
Senator Joanne Rodríguez Veve, affiliated with the conservative Proyecto Dignidad Party, echoed his sentiments.
“Senate Bill 350 Becomes Law!!!! Now no minor will be able to be subjected to alleged ‘sex change’ treatments. I thank everyone who, in various ways, both privately and publicly, bravely contributed to this legislative achievement,” Veve wrote on Facebook. “This is great news for Puerto Rico!”
yogaesoteric
July 23, 2025