A South Dakota House committee has passed a controversial bill that would allow for the prosecution of physicians who help children under age 16 to change their gender. The bill would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor for medical providers in the state to perform surgeries, administer puberty-blocking medication or hormone therapy drugs to minors to change their gender. Nurses and other non-licensed medical practitioners would be exempt from prosecution. Republican Rep. Fred Deutsch introduced the bill. He expects the Republican-dominated House to vote in favor of the measure, but that it will be a tough sell in the Senate.