Courtesy Idaho Capital Sun
The families of two transgender teens have sued Idaho officials in federal court to keep them from enforcing the state’s ban on gender care for youth — a law set to take effect in January.
The Republican-led Idaho Legislature passed the law, known as House Bill 71, during this year’s legislative session.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed it into law in April, saying he wanted it to protect children but noting that he had reservations about the state interfering with parental rights and medical decisions.
The Idaho Capital Sun reports, the law makes it a felony to give patients under age 18 puberty blockers or hormone treatments for gender dysphoria. It also makes it illegal to perform gender-affirming surgeries. Breaking the law would carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
If the law takes effect, it will keep the 15- and 16-year-old teen plaintiffs from being able to continue the gender-affirming treatments they currently receive, the lawsuit says.
