CNN —The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday to allow the state’s ban on nearly all gender-affirming care for minors to remain in effect. The law bars Texas health care providers from providing gender transition surgeries, puberty-blocking medication or hormone therapies to those under 18, although exceptions are provided for intersex patients. Texas’ ban is similar to restrictions in nationwide as GOP-led states have moved to curb gender-affirming care for minors, expressing concerns over the long-term effects of such treatment — though major medical associations have deemed it clinically appropriate. More than 20 states have enacted restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. The Biden administration directly challenged Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and the US Supreme Court announced this week that it will hear the appeal, which will determine whether states can restrict such care.

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