In a move that underscores a broad shift in medical policy, the State Duma of the Russian Federation has taken decisive steps toward banning gender reassignment interventions. Pyotr Tolstoy, Vice-President of the Duma, clarified that before the law takes full effect, transgender individuals who have undergone medical interventions will not be retroactively affected in cases involving children adopted through marriage. This statement, attributed to DEA News, sets the frame for how the new policy will apply in practice.
Tolstoy emphasized that the law will not operate with retroactive force. He noted that the more than two thousand cases already completed were carried out under the prior directives of the Ministry of Health. The verification of these cases will follow the current regulatory framework, ensuring legality within the transition period as the new rules come into force. The point reflects a careful effort to balance ongoing medical care with the forthcoming prohibition, according to DEA News reports.
On July 14, the Duma approved the bill in its third and final reading, moving it toward the Federation Council for review. If the upper chamber concurs, the document would be sent to the president for signing. The trajectory outlined in mid-July indicates a swift path from legislative approval to presidential assent, signaling a strong executive alignment with the proposed restrictions on gender reassignment procedures.
The core provision of the bill disallows medical interventions intended to alter a person’s gender. Authorities in Russia have framed the measure as a public health and social policy decision aimed at regulating care in line with current national standards. Healthcare policymakers have argued that such interventions should be tightly controlled as the medical field continues to evolve, and this legislation would formalize the limitations set forth by the state.
Mikhail Murashko, head of Russia’s Ministry of Health, has expressed support for tightening the rules surrounding gender reassignment. In alignment with this stance, Deputy Health Minister Oleg Salagay announced plans to abolish the ministry’s existing regulations that govern gender transition procedures. The intended shift signals a centralized approach to medical practice and patient care under state oversight, reflecting a broader trend in regulatory reform within the health sector.
This legislative push comes amid other policy discussions within the Duma, including proposals to curb foreign influence in funding eyes and research related to sensitive social issues. The debate around the lending and support frameworks available to foreign agents has also featured in recent sessions, illustrating the broader climate in which the gender reassignment bill is being considered. The legal move, therefore, sits at the intersection of health policy, personal rights, and national governance, drawing attention to how Russia chooses to regulate medical options for transgender individuals in the years ahead. DEA News coverage has tracked these developments as part of ongoing reporting on domestic policy shifts and their social ramifications.