Washington, D.C. – Today, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC), the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization, praised South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for signing H.B.1080, the “Help Not Harm” bill which would ban doctors from prescribing puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgical interventions for minors.

“We are grateful to Kristi Noem for signing the ‘Help Not Harm’ bill. No more will children in South Dakota be subjected to so-called ‘treatments’ that ruin their lives,” said Linda Schauer, CWA of South Dakota State Director. “We appreciate Gov. Noem’s leadership and look forward to other states protecting their children as well. Hopefully, our nation will look back at this episode as a dark stain on our history.”

South Dakota is the second state this year to adopt policies that will prevent harmful surgeries and experimental drugs from being administered to children who have expressed a desire to transition to the opposite sex, bringing the total to seven states with these protections. Several others are moving forward. 

“Our children are vulnerable and impressionable, and they deserve protection. Thank you, Gov. Noem, for protecting them,” said Penny Nance, CEO and President of CWALAC. “Puberty blockers, hormones, and surgery don’t solve the depression, anxiety, and confusion children are experiencing, they aggravate it and can cause irreversible harm. Doctors are in place to care for and help children, not harm them. Our hope is that many states will look to South Dakota as an example and follow in their footsteps.”

CWALAC has been at the very forefront of this battle for our nation’s children by urging legislators and lawmakers to protect children in the medical field and hold those healthcare professionals abusing their position accountable.