Florida Transgender Health Care Law Can Apply to Adults Amid Legal Challeng
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A federal judge in Florida has ruled that a state law restricting health care for transgender individuals can continue to be enforced for adults while it is being challenged in court. This decision, made by Judge Robert Hinkle, comes after he previously blocked the law’s enforcement for minors.
The law, signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in May, prohibits any transgender treatment for minors and mandates that transgender adults must provide consent to treatment in person and with a physician present.
Advocates argue that this poses a problem because much of the care is typically prescribed by nurse practitioners and delivered through telehealth services. They claim that it is often challenging for many patients to access or attend in-person appointments with physicians.
Florida is one of 22 states that have adopted laws in recent years prohibiting gender-affirming care for children. However, unlike other states, the Florida law, signed by DeSantis, who is also a presidential candidate, includes provisions targeting care for transgender adults.