Lawmakers overrode Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of SB 63, the so-called “Help Not Harm Act”. The legislation outlaws healthcare providers from treating a child whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child’s sex at birth.
The vote in the House was 84-35, the minimum number needed to achieve the 2/3 supermajority for override. Six members failed to vote.
The Senate had a more comfortable margin of 31-9. All members voted.
House Speaker Dan Hawkins praised his members’ action to protect children:
“Today, Kansas House Republicans successfully overrode Governor Kelly’s reckless veto of the Help Not Harm Act – voting overwhelmingly in favor of protecting Kansas kids from the irreversible harms of experimental gender transition surgeries and medicines. Governor Kelly chose to side with the radical Left, but this override now ensures that the act will become law – bringing Kansas in line with multiple other states and nations that already protect vulnerable minors from the life-altering effects of medicalized gender transition interventions.”
Posting on X, Senate President Ty Masterson celebrated the end of a practice he deemed “barbaric”:
“Today, a supermajority of the Kansas Senate declared that Kansas is no longer a sanctuary state for the maiming and sterilization of minors. This action is also consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order to stop these barbaric procedures nationwide. Let’s also never forget the bravery of the victims and whistleblowers who have testified and stood up for the protection of children. Kansas stands with you.”
