SW News: Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of the American State of Texas, has signed a bill into law that bans gender-altering treatment for children, making it the latest state to do the same. With Senate Bill 14, Texas became the largest state that prohibits medical professionals from providing gender transition surgeries, puberty-blocking medication, or hormone therapies to those under 18. The law will take effect on September 1.

The law states that the procedures are prohibited "for the purpose of transitioning a child's biological sex as determined by the sex organs, chromosomes, and endogenous profiles of the child or affirming the child's perception of the child's sex if that perception is inconsistent with the child's biological sex."

If any healthcare provider violates the law, they may lose their license. Additionally, the legislation grants the attorney general's office the power to intervene and stop violations from happening. The law also forbids using public funds, whether directly or indirectly, to fund these procedures or give these medications to minors.

Under the legislation, doctors are not allowed to recommend puberty blockers or any other medication meant to prevent or delay the natural process of puberty. In addition, it forbids the prescription of hormones at levels above those considered typical for a child of the child's age.

The law provides exceptions to children who are born with a genetic sex abnormality and children who lack a typical sex chromosomal structure.

However, the doctor is not required to immediately stop a child's prescription for gender change medications if it could threaten the child's health. Instead, the doctor will be allowed to wean the child off of the drugs in a safe and medically appropriate manner.

The opponents of the law have claimed to file a lawsuit against it. However, representative Tom Oliverson, the primary sponsor of the bill and a medical doctor, said the bill was written to withstand legal challenges.

With Abbott's signature, Texas became the 18th state to ban gander-altering treatments for minors, joining Nebraska, Florida, and Oklahoma.