Federal judge permanently blocks Arkansas law banning transgender procedures for minors, AG will appeal

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

An Arkansas law that banned medical procedures for transgender patients under the age of 18 was permanently blocked by U.S. District Judge Jay Moody on Tuesday (June 20). Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said he would appeal the decision.

The Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act (SAFE Act) was passed by the state legislature in 2021 by overwhelming margins, but then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson vetoed the measure saying it was “overbroad” and “a vast government overreach.” The legislature overrode his veto, putting the law in effect before it was challenged in court.

The federal lawsuit was brought by several families of transgender children who claimed the SAFE Act violated the 14th Amendment right to equal protection under the law and their 1st Amendment right to free speech. The defendants included then-Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and members of the Arkansas Medical Board.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/federal-judge-permanently-blocks-arkansas-law-banning-transgender-procedures-for-minors-ag-will-appeal/

ACLU pleased with appeals court decision on transgender healthcare

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

The American Civil Liberties Union is preparing for a lawsuit to go to trial challenging an Arkansas law banning gender-affirming healthcare for children. The suit was filed on behalf of the families of four transgender children and two doctors.

Last week, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a judge’s decision blocking the law from going into effect until the lawsuit could be heard. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is asking the full 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the decision.

Holly Dickson, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas, says she is confident they will prevail at trial.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-09-02/aclu-pleased-with-appeals-court-decision-on-transgender-healthcare

Judge Blocks Ban On Transgender Arkansas Youth From Transition-Related Health Care

By SARAH KELLOGG

A law that bans transgender Arkansans younger than 18 from accessing transition-related health care, has been blocked from becoming law.

U.S. District Judge Jay Moody issued the ruling Wednesday blocking the enforcement of Act 626, which would have been gone into effect on July 28. The act blocks any transgender child from seeking or accessing health care related to their transition, such as puberty blockers, even with consent from parents or medical professionals.

The ACLU filed the lawsuit in May on the behalf of four Arkansas transgender youth and their families as well as two medical professionals in Arkansas who treat transgender youth. 

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/judge-blocks-ban-transgender-arkansas-youth-transition-related-health-care

Chase Strangio with the ACLU speaks to reporters after the ruling.

CREDIT ACLU OF ARKANSAS

ACLU Of Arkansas Through Lawsuits, Hope To Stop Two Laws Before They Go Into Effect

By SARAH KELLOGG

The deadline for when most laws passed during the 2021 Arkansas Legislative session officially go into effect is fewer than 15 days away. However, some bills are facing legal challenges that could strike them down before become law.

The ACLU of Arkansas filed two lawsuits against two bills passed by the Arkansas legislature this past session. Holly Dickson, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas says these two bills, one a ban on the practice of abortion with few medical exceptions and the other bill that blocks Arkansas transgender youth from accessing transition related care, threaten the health of Arkansans. According to Dickson, a hearing on the lawsuit concerning transgender healthcare is scheduled for next week, while a decision on the abortion ban bill could come at any time.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/aclu-arkansas-through-lawsuits-hope-stop-two-laws-they-go-effect

Laws passed during the Arkansas Legislative Session without an emergency clause do not go into effect until 90 days after the legislature adjourns. For laws passed in the 2021 Legislative Session, that day is less than 15 days away.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

New Fund to Improve LGBTQ Life in Arkansas

By KYLE KELLAMS

A new million-dollar fund will be used to administer grants to organizations working to improve the quality of life for LGBTQ Arkansans. The development of the grant comes after a legislative session that included several bills aimed at trans youth and adults.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/new-fund-improve-lgbtq-life-arkansas

Lawmakers Override Governor's Veto, Ban Gender-Affirming Care to Trans Youth

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

Since Gov. Asa Hutchinson's briefing Monday afternoon, Arkansas lawmakers have overturned his veto of the Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act, which bans gender-affirming medical care to transgender minors. During the media conference, Hutchinson said the bill is "extreme" and an overreach of government.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/lawmakers-override-governors-veto-ban-gender-affirming-care-trans-youth

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced his decision to veto the SAFE Act at a media conference in Little Rock Monday.

COURTESY / YOUTUBE

Arkansas Senate Passes Transgender Youth Medical Care Ban

By DANIEL BREEN

A bill banning gender-affirming medical care for Arkansans under 18 is now one step away from becoming law.

The Senate on Monday passed House Bill 1570, which bans transgender youth from obtaining gender transition care, like puberty blockers and hormone therapy. The bill, called the Save Adolescents from Experimentation, or SAFE, Act, would open physicians up to civil litigation and licensure penalties for providing gender-transition related therapies, including surgery, to minors.

Republican Sen. Alan Clark of Hot Springs, a co-sponsor of the bill, presented it on the Senate floor.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-senate-passes-transgender-youth-medical-care-ban

Advocates for transgender youth, including actress Laverne Cox (top, center), urge Gov. Asa Hutchinson not to approve HB1570 in a news conference held by the ACLU.

CREDIT ACLU / ZOOM

Bill That Bars Transgender Youth From Accessing Transition-Related Care Passes House Committee

By SARAH KELLOGG

A bill that would bar transgender people under the age of 18 from receiving gender transition-related care passed a House committee on Tuesday.

The House Public Health, Welfare and Labor committee by a vote of 13-4 advanced House Bill 1570, which bans any physician or healthcare professional from providing "any gender transition procedures to any individual under 18."

Procedures that are banned include hormone treatment and gender reassignment surgery. Currently, gender reassignment surgeries are not being conducted in Arkansas. The bill also allows the state’s attorney general to bring an action for compliance with the law. 

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bill-bars-transgender-youth-accessing-transition-related-care-passes-house-committee

Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Springdale, (left) presents her bill to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.

CREDIT ARKANSAS HOUSE