A recent ruling by Texas District Judge Maria Cantú Hexsel has temporarily stopped the enactment of Senate Bill 14, a controversial law that would have prohibited minors from receiving gender-related medical treatments.

The bill, which was set to become effective on Sep 1, made Texas the most populous state to enforce such a ban, The Hill is reporting.

The legislation specifically prevented individuals below the age of 18 from accessing treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

Furthermore, it mandated minors already under such treatments to safely and medically halt their medication regimens.

A notable challenge to this law came from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) representing several families with transgender children.

The ACLU contested that Senate Bill 14 encroached upon the fundamental rights of parents in making healthcare decisions for their children.

In her ruling, Judge Hexsel indicated that the legislation infringes upon three different clauses in the Texas constitution.

She stated, “The Act infringes upon the Texas Constitution’s guarantees of equality under the law by enacting a discriminatory and categorical prohibition on evidence-based medical treatments for transgender youth which remain available to cisgender youth.”

The verdict was met with applause by the law’s detractors, particularly the ACLU.

Brian Klosterboer, an attorney for the ACLU of Texas, expressed his thoughts saying, “The court decision is a critical victory for transgender youth and their families, supporters, and health providers against this blatantly unconstitutional law.”

He further emphasized, “Trans Texans shouldn’t have to go to court to defend their basic rights, and we will keep advocating for our clients every step of the way.”

Although the injunction has been issued, there are anticipations by the ACLU that the Texas attorney general’s office will appeal.

As of now, the office has not issued a public response.