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Timeline › 2023 › May › 22

May 22, 2023

2 entries on this date.

Montana Gov. Gianforte signed HB 359 banning drag story hours and restricting drag performances before minors

On May 22, 2023, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 359 into law, banning "drag story hours" at state-funded schools and libraries and restricting "sexually oriented performances" in front of minors on public property or at businesses. The law defines a covered drag performer by a "flamboyant or parodic" persona and "glamorous or exaggerated costumes and makeup," and imposes an outright ban at any location receiving state funding. It was sponsored by Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, and heavily amended before passage.

Nebraska Gov. Pillen signed LB574, restricting gender-affirming care for minors under 19

On May 22, 2023, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed LB574, a bill barring anyone under 19 from receiving gender-altering surgery and authorizing the state's chief medical officer to restrict minors' access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy, effective October 1, 2023. The Nebraska Legislature had passed the measure 33-15 on May 19, 2023, bundling the "Let Them Grow Act" with a separate 12-week abortion ban that took effect immediately. The gender-affirming-care provisions singled out transgender minors for exclusion from medical treatments otherwise available to their peers.