Texas Rule Targeting Transgender Kids Blocked by Judge For Now

  • State directive deemed transgender treatment as child abuse
  • Ruling is setback for governor in case set for trial in July

Governor Greg Abbott

Photographer: Mark Felix/Bloomberg
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s effort to crack down on most health-care practices for transgender children was temporarily blocked statewide by a judge who ruled the Republican exceeded his authority.

Abbott’s Feb. 22 directive to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to consider gender-affirming care for minors to be “child abuse” violates the separation of powers because it has the effect of a new law “without new legislation,” Judge Amy Clark Meachum said Friday in Austin.