The US Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Idaho is permitted to enforce its ban on sex changes for children, with healthcare professionals facing up to 10 years in prison for performing such procedures or providing puberty blockers.
Judge Lynn Winmill, a Clinton appointee, had previously blocked the ban while a lawsuit by two plaintiffs was ongoing.
Still, the Supreme Court granted an emergency request by Idaho’s Attorney General in a 6-3 decision.
The Vulnerable Child Protection Act established the ban to safeguard children from potentially harmful treatments.
After facing legal challenges from activists, Idaho’s Attorney General Raul Labrador successfully appealed to have the law enforced while the case continues in court, celebrating victory.
BREAKING: The US Supreme Court just ruled to allow Idaho to enforce the Vulnerable Child Protection Act, a law that protects children from harmful and experimental drugs and procedure, while the case proceeds at the Ninth Circuit.
This is a BIG win to protect vulnerable kids!
— Raúl R. Labrador (@Raul_Labrador) April 15, 2024
“Our state has a duty to protect and support all children. I’m proud to defend Idaho’s law that ensures children are not subjected to these dangerous drugs and procedures,” Raul Labrador said.
US Supreme Court Allows Idaho to Enforce Law Protecting Vulnerable Children pic.twitter.com/ejhijw4wTS
— Raúl R. Labrador (@Raul_Labrador) April 15, 2024
CNBC reported:
A divided Supreme Court on Monday allowed Idaho to mostly enforce a law that bans gender-affirming health care for transgender teens.
Granting an emergency request filed by Idaho officials, the court said the law enacted last year could go into effect statewide but cannot be applied against the two plaintiffs who challenged it.
The court’s three liberal justices objected to the decision, saying the law should have remained blocked in full.
U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Winmill ruled in December that the state could not enforce the law while litigation continues. The state has appealed to the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals but it has yet to rule.
The law, like measures enacted by other states, prevents the use of what Winmill called “generally accepted medical treatment” for transgender minors, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries.
