A federal court affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging Washington State's laws aimed at protecting minors, particularly transgender minors. The Ninth Circuit ruled that plaintiffs, including two anti-trans organizations and five parents, lacked legal standing since they did not demonstrate harm from the laws. The challenged laws enable minors to access outpatient care without parental consent and allow shelters to act in a minor's best interest without parental notification. The ruling highlights ongoing conflicts between parental rights and the healthcare rights of minors.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that two anti-trans organizations and five sets of parents lacked legal standing to challenge Washington State's laws protecting minors, affirming a previous dismissal of the lawsuit.
Judge Milan D. Smith Jr. characterized the plaintiffs as national nonprofits and parents of children with gender dysphoria, indicating their commitment to halting what they perceive as unethical treatment under the guise of gender identity affirmation.
The challenged laws include provisions for minors to receive outpatient care without parental consent, allowing shelters to prioritize the safety and well-being of adolescents seeking gender-affirming care.
One of the new laws allows certain minors to stay in licensed shelters without parental permission for up to 90 days while receiving behavioral health services from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
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