The South Dakota House will vote this week on a bill that would make it a crime to offer hormone treatment to or perform physical transition procedures on minors 16 and under. The legislation is a reasonable measure that protects the rights of transgender youths while guarding them from the life-changing consequences of a decision they cannot unmake. The state House should pass it.

Radical transgender activists have already slammed the bill as an intrusion that will do more harm than good. Their criticisms would be worth a lot more if these same people were not intent on allowing children as young as 3 to transition socially, and those as young as 10 to block puberty deliberately. Their radicalism requires a response, and this bill provides one.