Kansas Legislature overrode Gov. Kelly's veto to enact SB63, banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors

On February 18, 2025, the Kansas Legislature overrode Governor Laura Kelly's veto to enact Senate Bill 63, the "Help Not Harm Act." The law bars healthcare providers from prescribing puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones, or performing surgery, for the purpose of gender transition in patients under 18, and it required minors already receiving such care to be weaned off by December 31, 2025. It further restricts the use of state funds and Medicaid to promote or provide gender transition and bars state employees, including social workers, from promoting the social transition of a minor.

Providers who violate the statute face professional discipline, potential loss of liability-insurance coverage, and a private civil right of action. The Kansas House and Senate each cleared the two-thirds veto-override threshold, and the law took effect July 1, 2025. Governor Kelly, who had vetoed the bill, argued it interfered with private medical decisions made by families and physicians; supporters described it as protecting minors from irreversible procedures.

Updates

2026-05-15 — Judge temporarily blocked the ban's enforcement [4, 5, 6]

A Douglas County District Court judge granted a temporary injunction halting enforcement of SB63 in a challenge brought on behalf of transgender minors and their families, questioning the credibility of the state's expert witnesses. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said the state would appeal.

2026-06-15 — Attorney General Kobach filed a notice of appeal [7]

Kobach filed a notice of appeal of Judge Carl Folsom's May ruling, moving the case to the Kansas Court of Appeals and continuing the litigation over the injunction blocking SB63's enforcement.