Texas Legislature Implements Sweeping Ban on Transgender Medical Care for Minors

The Texas Legislature, controlled by the GOP, has passed a bill that bans gender-affirming care for minors, including hormone therapies, puberty blockers, and surgeries. The bill allows an exception for transgender minors who were already receiving care before June 1, 2023, but they must "wean off" any drugs prescribed for gender-affirming care. The bill does not specify how long patients would have to stop taking the drugs. If signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas will become the largest state to ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors. At least 17 states have enacted laws either restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors.