LINCOLN- Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services renewed the temporary regulations that govern access to gender-affirming care for the state's trans youth on Tuesday. The temporary regulations, which initially took effect on October 1st and were renewed Tuesday for another 90 days, require patients under the age of 19 to undergo at least 40 hours of therapy and receive permission from a parent or legal guardian before being prescribed puberty blockers or hormone medication.

The regulations, proposed by the state's chief medical officer, Dr. Timothy Tesmer, will remain in place until March 29th, or until permanent regulations are approved by DHHS. The proposed permanent regulations faced broad opposition at a 12-hour public hearing in November, where over 60 people lined up largely to criticize them.

Many of those who spoke urged Tesmer and the Department to reconsider the requirement that trans youth undergo 40 hours of therapy, since, according to advocates, this can delay treatment by 10 months or more and cost upwards of $6,000. Tesmer, who did not attend November's public hearing, is required by law to review and evaluate all public comments before deciding whether or not to amend the regulations.

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