Texas Supreme Court hears challenge to transgender minor health care ban

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Supreme Court will hear a challenge Tuesday morning to a new state law banning transgender children from receiving certain health care options and put doctors' medical licenses in jeopardy for providing these treatments.

Five Texas families with transgender children as well as three doctors sued the state in July last year to block Senate Bill 14 from taking effect. Several LGBTQ+ advocacy and civil rights groups backed this effort. The law prevents minors from being able to receive puberty-blocking medication, hormone therapies or surgeries to assist in their gender transition. Texas doctors who provide this type of care could also lose their medical licenses.

These families argued the law violates their rights as parents to make medical decisions on behalf of their children and that it discriminates against their transgender kids on the basis of sex. The doctors claim the law defies their abilities to provide what they see as the best care to these patients.

A Travis County district court judge agreed with these claims, ruling it's unconstitutional. She issued a temporary injunction against SB 14. However, the Texas attorney general filed a direct appeal to the Texas Supreme Court, which allowed the law to take effect last year on Sept. 1. The state's challenge to the lower court's ruling is now what the Supreme Court justices are going to decide.

A live stream of Tuesday's oral arguments to the Texas Supreme Court is available for anyone to watch.

KXAN will update this developing story with more information throughout the day.