North Carolina could become the latest state to block transgender minors from receiving the treatment they seek.

Five Republican lawmakers on Wednesday filed a bill that would outlaw hormone treatments and puberty blockers for anyone under 18-years-old.

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House Bill 43 would make it illegal for any medical professional “to facilitate the minor's desire to present or appear in a manner that is inconsistent with the minor's sex.”

It comes amid a nationwide push by conservatives to limit health treatments for transgender children and limit discussion of sexuality in classrooms. And administrators of North Carolina's state employee health plan are in federal court defending their exclusion of gender-affirming treatments from the plan.

The bill defines sex as “the biological state of being female or male, based on sex organs, chromosomes, and endogenous hormone profiles.” For minors, it would forbid mastectomies, “surgeries that sterilize,” testosterone for females and estrogen for males.

The bill doesn’t carry any criminal penalties for the minor or parents, but sets a $1,000 penalty for any health care provider that violates the law and puts offenders’ medical licenses in jeopardy.

The proposed legislation is similar to a bill that was introduced by state senators in 2021. That bill didn’t advance.

Since then, Republicans have gained seats in the legislature. If Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoes House Bill 43, the GOP would only need one Democrat to break ranks to override his rejection.

House Speaker Tim Moore’s office said Wednesday afternoon that he hadn’t had a chance to review the bill.

Professional medical organizations typically discourage puberty blockers for children who have not reached puberty, which typically starts between ages 10 and 12.

Hormone treatment for feminization or masculinization of the body is typically not considered until patients are at least 16 years old, PolitiFact has reported, and gender reassignment surgery is generally unavailable to most minors in the U.S.

Sponsors of the bill didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday evening.