Texas Passes Nation's Most Far-Reaching Ban on Transgender Healthcare for Youth

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a bill banning gender-affirming medical care for minors, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender transition surgeries.
The law goes into effect September 1 and makes exceptions only for youth already receiving treatment or who have had extensive mental health counseling.
Texas is the largest of at least 18 states that have banned gender-affirming care for minors though major medical associations support it as medically necessary.
The law is likely to face legal challenges from civil rights groups who argue it unlawfully discriminates against transgender youth.
Republican lawmakers promoted the bill as protecting children, though transgender advocates argue it does the opposite by denying life-saving treatment.