AUSTIN, Texas — A Travis County district court on Wednesday blocked the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) from investigating the parents of a transgender teenager seeking gender-affirming health care for their child. District Judge Amy Clark Meachum issued a temporary order halting the investigation, but didn’t issue a broader ruling blocking Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive requiring DFPS to look into such health care desicions as child abuse.

What You Need To Know

  • A Texas judge has blocked the state from investigating the parents of a transgender teenager over gender-affirming treatments she’s received

  • The judge didn’t issue a broader ruling blocking Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive requiring officials to look into such treatments on youth as abuse

  • Abbott issued his directive following a nonbinding legal opinion by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton

  • The court scheduled a hearing for Friday, March 11, at 10 a.m. 

The ACLU and Lambda Legal filed the lawsuit on behalf of an employee of DFPS with a transgender child, her husband and their transgender teen. According to the complaint, the family has had an investigator already arrive at their home. The family has filed the lawsuit anonymously.

“We appreciate the relief granted to our clients, but this should never have happened and is unfathomably cruel,” said Brian Klosterboer, ACLU of Texas attorney. “Families should not have to fear being separated because they are providing the best possible health care for their children. The elected leaders and agencies of this state should not play politics with people’s lives. We will do all that’s possible to stop these abuses of power and ensure transgender young people can receive medically recommended treatment.” 

Abbott's directive came after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote an opinion stating that gender-affirming care for transgender children, including sex-change procedures and the prescription of puberty blockers, constitutes child abuse under state law.

“Because the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is responsible for protecting children from abuse, I hereby direct your agency to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of any reported instances of these abusive procedures in the State of Texas,” Abbott wrote.

The lawsuit names Abbott, DFPS Commissioner Jaime Masters and DFPS as defendants. 

“We are relieved that — at least for now — the threat of a child abuse investigation is no longer hanging over the heads of the family members in this case,” said Paul Castillo of Lambda Legal senior counsel. “It is unconscionable for DFPS to still pursue any investigation or inflict more trauma and harm. We look forward to continuing the fight for all Texas families.”

Spokespersons for Abbott and Paxton's offices did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday night. A spokesman for DFPS said there would be “deliberate discussions" about next steps.

The court scheduled a hearing next Friday, March 11, at 10 a.m. and may decide to halt all investigations. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.