“It is embarrassing that unelected bureaucrats in Florida have done a better of job protecting children than elected officials in Texas..."
By State Representative Brian Harrison
Harrison filed a bill HB 776 to legislatively provide children in Texas the same protection that the Florida Board of Medicine recently enacted by regulation and sent a letter to the Texas Medical Board respectfully asking them to do exactly as their counterparts in Florida did, which will immediately protect Texas children until the legislature can act next session.
During the Trump Administration, Harrison served as the Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) – the largest government agency in the world with a budget of over $1.4 trillion and 25 divisions – where he led a staff of over 85,000 employees.
“It is embarrassing that unelected bureaucrats in Florida have done a better job of protecting children than elected officials in Texas by regulatorily banning gender modification," said Harrison.
"I’ve filed a bill to codify the same ban that exists in Florida. However, our children deserve protection today – and the Texas Medical Board can provide it.
"I have formally asked them to immediately adopt the Florida Rule so our kids are protected until the legislature is able to act.”
Background:
Earlier this month, Florida’s state medical boards adopted rules to prohibit physicians from performing therapies and procedures for the treatment of gender dysphoria in minors. Rep. Harrison’s HB 776 simply codifies the same language that the Florida Board of Medicine adopted.
This is a Texas GOP legislative priority, and fortunately is one that doesn’t have to wait until next session.
Harrison's Letter to Texas Medical Board president, Dr. Sherif Z. Zaafran, M.D.:
November 18, 2022
Sherif Z. Zaafran, M.D.
President, Texas Medical Board
P.O. Box 2018
Austin, TX 78768
Dear Dr. Zaafran,
Although we have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, thank you for your service on the Texas Medical Board.
Before being elected to the Texas Legislature I served as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and trust we share the goals of enhancing the health and well-being of all Texans and protecting our vulnerable populations - especially children.
Children across Texas are being irreversibly harmed and abused in the name of “gender affirming surgery and therapy.” Unlike other states which have enacted protections for children against this abuse, Texas, unfortunately, is still allowing permanent changes to be made to the bodies of individuals who are legally unable to provide consent in any legal matter and whom our laws don’t even allow to buy a beer or smoke a cigarette.
Your counterparts on Florida’s medical boards recently passed rules to prohibit physicians from performing therapies and procedures for the elective treatment of gender dysphoria in minors.
I have filed a bill to legislatively protect Texans the way their rules are protecting children in Florida. While legislation will still take several months, you have it within your power to protect Texas children now.
Therefore, with all sincerity and urgency, I ask you to immediately do exactly what your counterparts in Florida did.
I am providing a copy of their rules with this letter, and, by simply copying and pasting their language, you could protect countless children from irreparable harm. Thank you for your consideration. Our state’s youngest and most vulnerable are counting on you.
With appreciation,
Brian Harrison
Sherif Z. Zaafran, M.D.
President, Texas Medical Board
P.O. Box 2018
Austin, TX 78768
Dear Dr. Zaafran,
Although we have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, thank you for your service on the Texas Medical Board.
Before being elected to the Texas Legislature I served as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and trust we share the goals of enhancing the health and well-being of all Texans and protecting our vulnerable populations - especially children.
Children across Texas are being irreversibly harmed and abused in the name of “gender affirming surgery and therapy.” Unlike other states which have enacted protections for children against this abuse, Texas, unfortunately, is still allowing permanent changes to be made to the bodies of individuals who are legally unable to provide consent in any legal matter and whom our laws don’t even allow to buy a beer or smoke a cigarette.
Your counterparts on Florida’s medical boards recently passed rules to prohibit physicians from performing therapies and procedures for the elective treatment of gender dysphoria in minors.
I have filed a bill to legislatively protect Texans the way their rules are protecting children in Florida. While legislation will still take several months, you have it within your power to protect Texas children now.
Therefore, with all sincerity and urgency, I ask you to immediately do exactly what your counterparts in Florida did.
I am providing a copy of their rules with this letter, and, by simply copying and pasting their language, you could protect countless children from irreparable harm. Thank you for your consideration. Our state’s youngest and most vulnerable are counting on you.
With appreciation,
Brian Harrison
State Rep. Harrison represents Texas' State House District 10, which is located just south of the City of Dallas and is comprised of Ellis and parts of Henderson Counties.
