(NEWSnet/AP) — Nebraska is requiring transgender youth who seek gender-affirming care to wait seven days to start puberty-blocking medication or hormone treatments.

The requirement came under emergency regulations announced Sunday by the state health department.

It also requires transgender minors to undergo at least 40 hours of “gender-identity-focused” therapy that are “clinically neutral” before receiving any medical treatments meant to affirm their gender identities.

A new law that took effect Sunday bans gender-affirming surgery for trans residents under age 19 and also required the state's chief medical officer to designate when and how they can receive alternate care.

The regulation remains in effect while the department gathers public feedback regarding a permanent set of rules. The agency said it plans to release a proposed final version by the end of October, then holde a public hearing on Nov. 28 in Lincoln.

Nebraska's new regulations require that a patient's parents or legal guardians be involved in any treatment, including the 40 required hours of therapy. It also requires at least one hour of therapy every three months after that care starts “to evaluate ongoing effects on a patient's mental health.”

The seven-day waiting period for puberty-blockers or hormone treatment would begin when a doctor receives a signed consent form from a parent or legal guardian. Patients who are emancipated minors could give approval independently.

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