RALEIGH, N.C. (NEWSnet/AP) — Transgender youth in North Carolina lost access Wednesday to gender-affirming medical treatments after the Republican-led General Assembly overrode the governor’s vetoes of that legislation.

Medical professionals are now banned from providing hormone therapy, puberty-blocking drugs and surgical gender-transition procedures to anyone under 18, with limited exceptions.

The law takes effect immediately. But minors who had begun treatment before Aug. 1 may continue receiving that care if their doctors deem it medically necessary and their parents consent.

It's been a move many lawmakers in the state have fought back against.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill, but the Senate voted 27-18 to override the governor's veto. 

North Carolina becomes the 22nd state to enact legislation restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.

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