Child Abuse Probes of Trans Kids’ Parents Cleared in Texas (1)

Texas’ top appeals court lifted a statewide injunction against Governor Greg Abbott’s crackdown on gender-affirming care for trans children -- with a catch.

Abbott in February directed state child welfare officials in a letter to investigate gender care for minors as potential child abuse. In Friday’s ruling, the Texas Supreme Court allowed the probes but held that the officials don’t have to undertake them and, if they do, must get a judge’s sign-off before acting on the results of any investigation.

The decision breathes new life into Abbott’s efforts by lifting the injunction but articulates the limits on his ...