Kansas’s Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a proposal to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth for the third consecutive year, setting up another battle with the state’s Republican-dominated Legislature that has previously failed to overrule her on the issue.

Kansas’s Senate Bill 63 would broadly prevent health care professionals from providing gender-affirming medical care, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery, to minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria — the severe psychological distress that stems from a mismatch between a person’s gender identity and sex at birth.

The Help Not Harm Act would also slash state support for transition-related care and put doctors who continue providing it in jeopardy of losing their medical licenses.

“It is disappointing that the Legislature continues to push for government interference in Kansans’ private medical decisions instead of focusing on issues........

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