JEFFERSON CITY— The Legislature on Thursday moved one step closer to making permanent the bans on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors.

The Senate passed measures, mostly along party lines, that also make permanent the ban on trans girls playing on girls’ sports teams.

Both provisions were passed in 2023 but were set to expire in 2027 as a concession to Democrats.

The legislation the Senate approved Thursday removes that expiration date.

The two provisions were added to unrelated legislation removing other expiration dates in state law. And because they were added in an amendment, on the Senate floor, no Senate committee hearings were held on the bans.

In the House several pieces of legislation do the same thing, but those bills went through lengthy hearings, including public comment.

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The bill also removes the expiration date for the Federal Reimbursement Allowance, which pays back hospitals for treatment given to those on government healthcare plans.

Members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus worked to block action on FRA renewal last session but eventually allowed the tax to be extended into 2029.

This year, Freedom Caucus member, Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, proposed the amendment to make the anti-trans restrictions permanent. As the Senate prepared to vote, several Freedom Caucus members said they would support the legislation even though they are firmly against tax credits and the FRA.

“There’s nothing more important to me than protecting kids and there are two provisions in this bill that do just that, which is why I’m going to be a yes,” said Sen. Adam Schnelting, R-St. Charles.

In the end only two Republicans, Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, and Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, joined Democrats in voting against the legislation.

The bill now heads to the House for consideration.

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