Last week saw tremendous progress in the fight for fairness, excellence, and compassion in medicine.

First, in Arizona, SB 1013, which had already passed the Senate, passed committee in the House. This bill would ensure that Arizona cannot establish policies or practices that require a person to be hired based on anything other than the person’s merit. 

Under the bill, the state would not be able to manipulate or influence the composition of employees based on race, ethnicity, sex, or national origin, except to ensure color-blind and race-neutral hiring in accordance with state and federal antidiscrimination laws.

Also passing committee was SB 1015, which would render healthcare professionals who provide sex-denying medical procedures to minors liable for all costs associated with any detransition procedures sought by the minors within 25 years.

A similar bill, HB 1356, passed the House in New Hampshire. This bill enables those harmed by a sex-denying medical procedures as minors to file a lawsuit 10 years after they reach adulthood.

In Iowa, currently awaiting the signature of Governor Kim Reynolds is HB 571. This bill expands conscience protections for medical practitioners and health care institutions, ensuring their liberties are not violated.

in Utah, Governor Spencer Cox signed into law HB 259, a critical piece of legislation aimed at enabling parents to better access their children’s medical records and health information. 

As demonstrated in a Do No Harm report, denying parents access to their children’s medical records often prevents them from being informed on and involved with their children’s medical decisions. Providers may take advantage of this lack of oversight to push gender ideology.

HB 259 requires healthcare facilities to provide parents with access to their child’s electronic health records and ensures electronic health record companies are providing Utah hospitals with systems that comply with these requirements. 

And finally, passing committee in Louisiana was SB 234, which mandates that medical schools implement a “letter-based grading scale for coursework starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.” In other words, students will receive grades of A, B, C, D, or F, ensuring quality in medical education.