Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling on “licensed professionals” and “members of the general public” to report the parents of transgender minors to state authorities for abuse if they believe the minors are receiving gender-affirming medical care.
The directive was included in a letter the Republican governor sent to the Department of Family and Protective Services on Tuesday.
Abbott wants those officials to “conduct a prompt and thorough investigation” into any reported instances of minors undergoing “elective procedures for gender transitioning.”
Abbott’s instruction comes after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opined that allowing minors to receive transition care such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery is considered child abuse under state law.
