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Texas AG Declares Gender-Affirming Care for Minors Child Abuse

3/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced March 2, 2026 that a new interpretation extends the ban on gender-affirming care for minors to mental health providers.
He stated therapists affirming a trans youth's gender identity would be committing child abuse and could face license revocation and criminal penalties.
The interpretation aligns with 2023 S.B. 14 law prohibiting adolescent gender-affirming treatments.
The announcement coincided with the Texas Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

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Story summary

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced March 2, 2026 that a new interpretation extends the ban on gender-affirming care for minors to mental health providers.
He stated therapists affirming a trans youth's gender identity would be committing child abuse and could face license revocation and criminal penalties.
The interpretation aligns with 2023 S.B. 14 law prohibiting adolescent gender-affirming treatments.
The announcement coincided with the Texas Republican primary for U.S. Senate.