Texas court asked to empower surrogate to secure baby’s life-saving treatment

An Alaskan surrogate in a Texas dispute seeks a Dallas County court’s permission to obtain medically necessary treatment for the fetus she carries after the California couple she surrogates for refuses the procedure. Texas AG Ken Paxton has filed an emergency order backing the surrogate, arguing Texas law recognizes the birth mother as the legal parent and that gestational agreements cannot override state law; he also notified local hospitals to provide care. The case tests surrogacy precedent in Texas, which has allowed intended parents to be recognized before birth, and raises questions about when doctors can treat a child without parental consent in emergencies.