CHARLESTON, WV — In a decisive move, the West Virginia State Senate voted overwhelmingly 32-2 in favor of banning the prescription of dangerous sex-change drugs to minors. This vote marks a dramatic shift from just two years ago, when the state legislature voted to allow physicians to prescribe experimental drugs to children confused with gender dysphoria. The swift reversal is being hailed as a victory for child safety and parental rights, and comes after significant political changes in the state.
The decisive vote follows a key political transformation within the State Senate, one driven by grassroots conservative groups who held lawmakers accountable for their votes. Notably, Senate President Craig Blair, who voted in favor of allowing pediatricians to prescribe these controversial drugs to children in 2023, was unseated in the following election by his opponent, Tom Willis. This loss, along with the defeat of several other Republican senators in primary races, shifted the balance of power in the Senate, resulting in the election of Senator Randy Smith as the new Senate President.
Senator Smith played a pivotal role in uniting the Republican caucus, advancing legislation to ban the controversial drugs. Under his leadership, the Senate took swift action to prioritize the safety of children over political pressures.
The political shift in West Virginia was largely driven by conservative groups like The Family Policy Council of WV, which worked to hold Republican politicians accountable for their votes on the issue.
The vote on Senate Bill 299 marks a dramatic reversal from just two years ago, when a similar bill, HB 2007 (2023), was amended to permit physicians to prescribe these controversial treatments to minors. That vote ended with a substantial defeat, with the amendment passing by a margin of 12 to 20, highlighting the division within the Senate on this issue at the time. However, the overwhelming 32-2 vote in favor of Senate Bill 299 illustrates a significant shift in the legislative climate and a growing consensus to protect children from potentially harmful medical practices.
The 32-2 vote to ban the prescription of sex change drugs to minors is a direct result of the changing political dynamics in the Senate, where conservative leadership now stands firm on issues that reflect the values of West Virginians. Senate Bill 299 is seen as an important victory in the ongoing fight to protect children from experimental medical treatments and to ensure that parental rights are upheld.
Freshman Senator Chris Rose (R – Monongalia) played a key role in the passage of Senate Bill 299, serving as the lead sponsor. As a new member of the state senate, his sponsorship of this bill reflects his commitment to addressing concerns about the health and welfare of minors and his role in advocating for policies that resonate with many families across the state.
With the passage of this bill, many are hopeful that West Virginia will continue to lead the way in protecting children from harmful practices, with conservative lawmakers now more empowered than ever to enact policies that reflect the values of their communities.
For now, West Virginia’s decision sets a new standard in the national conversation about “gender-affirming treatments” for minors, marking a critical turning point in both state and national policy discussions on the issue.
