The state legislature does not begin its session until January, but lawmakers can begin to file their bills for the upcoming term this month. So far, at least two bills have been introduced to classify transgender surgeries on children as child abuse under state law. One would revoke liability insurance for providers of this type of so-called "gender-affirming" care.
Jonathan Covey of Texas Values points out that gender transitioning measures are permanent and life-altering.
"A person under 18 doesn't have sufficient maturity or capacity to make decisions about the irreversible consequences to their bodies," he asserts.
As AFN recently reported, Texas is not the only state that wants to bar the hormone treatments and mutilation surgeries, and Covey thinks common sense explains why.
"For example, no child is legally permitted to consume alcohol in any state," he begins. "In Texas, you can't get a tattoo if you're a minor, and in Texas, we have a new law that says you can't even buy cough syrup over the counter unless you can prove you're at least 18."
Governor Greg Abbott (R) and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) have called for legislation, both considering the practice child abuse, and Paxton has also asked the members of the legislature to include a provision allowing his office to prosecute violations if local district and county attorneys refuse to do so.
