As Georgia’s legislative session races toward its April 4 “sine die” deadline—the Latin term for the final day of lawmaking before adjournment—transgender Georgians and their families are facing a renewed wave of fear and uncertainty.
Senate Bill 39, introduced by Vidalia Republican Senator Blake Tillery and passed by the Georgia Senate, would eliminate access to gender-affirming care for transgender state employees and their dependents through the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). If the bill becomes law, it will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
The bill would also ban any use of state funds to pay for gender-affirming care and prohibit public healthcare providers—such as doctors or facilities employed by the state—from providing such care to patients, regardless of insurance status.
Who This Bill Affects
At its core, Senate Bill 39 targets transgender adults, their spouses, and their children who rely on state-sponsored healthcare. This includes teachers, university employees, state government workers, and their dependents—tens of thousands of Georgians.
The proposed legislation would remove coverage for medically necessary care such as hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and gender-affirming surgeries. Although it includes narrow exceptions for rare intersex conditions or unrelated medical procedures, the overall message is clear: under this bill, the state would not support any transition-related care—even for legal adults who need it.
The impact would be especially devastating for transgender people who transitioned later in life or for those raising transgender children covered under their insurance. Losing access to treatment could mean forced detransition, worsened mental health, and additional financial burden on families already struggling to find inclusive providers in the South.
Why It Matters
Gender-affirming care isn’t experimental or elective—it’s evidence-based healthcare endorsed by every major medical organization in the United States, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Endocrine Society. Decades of research show that access to gender-affirming care significantly reduces depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among transgender people.
Last year, the State of Georgia settled a lawsuit with transgender state employees and their families who were previously denied coverage. The settlement included $365,000 in damages and legal fees and required the state health plan to begin offering transition-related coverage. Senate Bill 39 appears to be a direct response to that case—seeking to override the settlement and restore the discriminatory exclusions that were previously in place.
Supporters of the bill, like Sen. Tillery, claim it’s about “fiscal responsibility,” arguing that taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be used for what the bill calls “gender ideology.” But opponents—including civil rights groups and transgender advocacy organizations—argue the bill is not about cost but about politics. Denying medically necessary care to a vulnerable minority doesn’t save money in the long run—it invites costly lawsuits, worsens public health outcomes, and signals to transgender Georgians that their lives don’t matter.
What’s Next?
As sine die approaches, lawmakers are scrambling to pass their remaining bills, and Senate Bill 39 is very much alive. If passed by the House and signed by the Governor, it will become law in 2026. For now, transgender state employees can still access gender-affirming care—but the window may be closing.
The bill’s language mirrors similar laws passed in other states, some of which are already being challenged in court. In the meantime, Georgia families are left in limbo—forced to plan for a future in which essential care may no longer be available through their jobs.
The Bottom Line
If you or someone you love could be affected by this bill, know this: you are not alone. The transgender community in Georgia is resilient, and support networks across the state are already organizing to fight back. Whether through legal action, mutual aid, or advocacy, there are people working every day to ensure your rights are protected.
It’s okay to feel scared. It’s okay to feel angry. But it’s also okay to hope—because even in the face of discriminatory legislation, our community has never stopped showing up for each other.
Stay informed. Stay connected. And remember: you deserve care, dignity, and a future where your identity isn’t up for debate.
