New Hampshire Bans Transgender Intervention Puberty Blockers for Minors

While New England and the northeastern part of the United States are typically associated with more liberal policies, after all Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, followed by Vermont and New Hampshire, the need to protect the innocent and the young from permanent lifelong health issues has impacted even the northeast. As on August 01st, 2025, New Hampshire became the first state in New England to ban transgender medical interventions for minors. With Governor Kelly Ayotte (R) signing two new laws on August 01st that will take effect beginning on January 01st, 2026.

The two new laws prohibit doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to individuals under the age of 18. The new laws in New Hampshire will also band gender-transition surgeries for those under the age of 18, except for in cases of medical necessity. What is deemed as a medical necessity is not entirely clear. But, the laws do bar adolescents under the age of 18 from undergoing certain procedures when they are used to treat gender dysphoria such as facial feminization or masculinization surgery and transgender chest surgery. Previously, even Medicaid in the state of New Hampshire would pay for gender transition surgery.

Other states that ban gender transition medications and procedures on minors include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio, North Dakota, and South Carolina, among other states located primarily in the Southeastern part of the United States and Midwest. With Alabama banning any person to engage in or cause any practices to be performed upon a minor to attempt to alter the appearance or affirm a minor's perception of their gender, including: prescribing, administering medication or performing surgeries to delay or transition gender for any individuals who are minors. With minors in the State of Alabama being anyone under the age of 19.

Whether or not other New England and northeastern states will follow in New Hampshire's footsteps remains to be seem. However, the recent Supreme Court decision upholding a ban on gender-affirming care in Tennessee has emboldened lawmakers in other states to champion similar measures.

Luisa Reyes is a Tuscaloosa Attorney, piano instructor, and vocalist.