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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has filed a lawsuit against Dr. Hector M. Granados, an El Paso-based pediatric endocrinologist. The lawsuit accuses Granados of illegally prescribing gender transition drugs to minors, a practice that Paxton’s office states directly contravenes Senate Bill 14 (SB 14). Effective as of September 1, 2023, SB 14 strictly prohibits the administration of gender transition procedures or medications, such as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, to minors across Texas. According to the Attorney General’s complaint, Dr. Granados continued prescribing these treatments after the legislation took effect, violating state law and potentially endangering minors’ health.
Paxton filed a lawsuit against a prominent Dallas area physician in mid-October with a similar argument.
Background on Senate Bill 14
Senate Bill 14, passed by the Texas Legislature in the most recent legislative session (2023) and upheld by the Texas Supreme Court in 2024, strictly prohibits the use of surgeries, puberty blockers, and cross-sex hormones for the purpose of transitioning a minor’s biological sex. The law specifically targets medical procedures and treatments intended to affirm a child’s belief that their gender identity is inconsistent with their biological sex. This prohibition is based on concerns that such treatments are irreversible, experimental, and potentially harmful to children. Texas authorities believe that enforcing this law is crucial to protecting minors from what they see as dangerous, unscientific medical interventions.
Allegations Against Dr. Granados
The lawsuit claims that Dr. Granados prescribed puberty blockers and testosterone to minors as recently as October 2024, despite SB 14’s prohibition. Dr. Granados is accused of circumventing SB 14’s restrictions by diagnosing patients with “precocious puberty” as a means of justifying the use of puberty blockers, a treatment typically reserved for younger children experiencing unusually early onset puberty. According to the Attorney General’s office, Granados misrepresented his patients’ conditions to secure insurance coverage for what was, in effect, gender-transitioning treatments.
The complaint portrays Dr. Granados not only as a healthcare provider but as a staunch advocate of early gender transition, citing his past affiliations and statements regarding youth gender dysphoria. His establishment of a Children & Adolescent Gender Clinic at Texas Tech University and multiple public statements supporting early transition interventions have underscored his commitment to this cause.
Violations of Public Health and Consumer Protection Laws
The Attorney General’s complaint extends beyond SB 14 violations, alleging that Dr. Granados engaged in deceptive trade practices. Under Texas’s Business & Commerce Code, specifically § 17.46(a), healthcare providers are prohibited from misrepresenting the nature or purpose of their treatments. The lawsuit accuses Dr. Granados of billing insurance providers and pharmacies under the guise of “precocious puberty” treatments, rather than accurately listing the treatments as gender transition-related. The complaint underscores how such practices not only violate SB 14 but also jeopardize the public’s trust in medical professionals. By allegedly misrepresenting his treatments, Dr. Granados is charged with endangering minors by bypassing regulations aimed at ensuring public safety and the integrity of healthcare practices.
Texas Seeks Legal Injunction and Financial Penalties
Attorney General Paxton’s office is pursuing temporary and permanent injunctions against Dr. Granados, demanding that he immediately cease all practices that violate SB 14. Should the court issue this injunction, Granados would be barred from prescribing puberty blockers, testosterone, or any other medication intended for gender transition in minors. In addition to the injunction, Texas seeks civil penalties amounting to $10,000 per alleged deceptive act. The state is also requesting financial compensation for legal fees, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and other court-related expenses. These legal demands illustrate the Texas government’s commitment to strictly enforcing SB 14 and discouraging any healthcare provider from defying state law.
Implications for Gender Transition in Texas
The case against Dr. Granados serves as yet another crucial test for SB 14’s application in Texas and potentially sets the stage for similar cases in the future. The Attorney General’s office emphasizes that these actions reflect Texas’s intent to uphold the new law rigorously, placing minors’ welfare at the forefront of its legislative agenda. By holding healthcare providers accountable under SB 14, Texas is establishing a clear precedent for the medical community within the state. This lawsuit not only targets alleged violations but also underscores the broader ideological debate on gender-affirming care for minors, positioning Texas as a national focal point for restrictive legislation on this issue.
In a statement, Paxton said,
“Texas is cracking down on doctors illegally prescribing dangerous ‘gender transition’ drugs to children,” said Attorney General Paxton. “State law forbids prescribing these interventions to minors because they have irreversible and damaging effects. Any physician found doing so will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Conclusion
Attorney General Paxton’s lawsuit against Dr. Granados represents a pivotal moment for Texas’s newly implemented SB 14. The case highlights the state’s intent to rigorously enforce restrictions on gender transition treatments for minors, a stance rooted in the belief that these interventions carry risks that minors are not equipped to fully comprehend. This lawsuit is poised to set a powerful precedent in Texas and potentially influence broader discussions and legal strategies surrounding gender transition healthcare in the United States.
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