Texas Gov. Orders State Agencies to Investigate Gender-Affirming Care as ‘Child Abuse’

Greg Abbott’s anti-trans crusade continues.

On Tuesday, the Texas governor ordered state agencies to conduct “prompt and thorough” investigations into gender-affirming care for trans youth. Abbott laid out his position in a letter to the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services, arguing that gender transitioning procedures could be considered child abuse under Texas law. He went on to say that teachers, nurses, and doctors could face criminal penalties for failing to report “such abuse.”

“Texas law imposes reporting requirements upon all licensed professionals who have direct contact with children who may be subject to such abuse, including doctors, nurses, and teachers, and provides criminal penalties for failure to report such child abuse,” read the letter, which was also sent to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Texas Medical Board, and the Texas Education Agency. “There are similar reporting requirements and criminal penalties for members of the general public. Texas law also imposes a duty on DFPS to investigate the parents of a child who is subjected to these abusive gender-transitioning procedures, and on other state agencies to investigate licensed facilities where such procedures may occur.”

Abbott’s move came just days after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a non-binding legal opinion that defined certain gender-affirming procedures and treatments—including hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and reassignment surgery—as child abuse. 

“There is no doubt that these procedures are ‘abuse’ under Texas law, and thus must be halted,” Paxton said this week. “The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has a responsibility to act accordingly. I’ll do everything I can to protect those who take advantage of and harm young Texans.”

As pointed out by the Washington Post, some state officials and legal experts say they have no intentions to follow Abbott’s order.

“Targeting trans youth, their parents, and their health care providers for political gain is unconscionable,” World Professional Association for Transgender Health said in a statement to the Dallas Morning News. “We strongly denounce this alarmist and misguided opinion which could obstruct access to medically necessary care.”