Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against a doctor in El Paso for allegedly providing "gender transition" treatments to minors, some as young as twelve. This move comes in response to the doctor's alleged violation of Senate Bill 14, a Texas law that took effect in September 2023. The legislation, upheld by the Texas Supreme Court in June 2024, prohibits medical interventions such as surgeries, puberty blockers, and cross-sex hormones for minors.
The law reflects concerns over growing scientific evidence suggesting that these interventions can have damaging long-term consequences when performed on children. It also highlights that these treatments are experimental and lack scientific support for their purported benefits.
Under SB 14, medical providers who violate the law face penalties. The Texas Medical Board is mandated to revoke the medical license or authorization of any physician found in violation of this statute.
According to the lawsuit, the El Paso doctor knowingly provided puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children with the intent of transitioning their biological sex. Additionally, he is accused of engaging in deceptive practices by falsifying medical records, prescriptions, and billing documents to conceal his actions.
"Texas is cracking down on doctors illegally prescribing dangerous ‘gender transition’ drugs to children," stated Attorney General Paxton. "State law forbids prescribing these interventions to minors because they have irreversible and damaging effects. Any physician found doing so will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
For more details on the filing, further information is available through official channels.