The complaint filed Friday alleges that “the new law’s felony ban on providing certain medically necessary care to transgender minors violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.”
The Justice Department is asking the court to issue an immediate order blocking the law, which is set to go into effect on May 8.
Alabama’s Senate Bill 184, which Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law earlier this month, states that medical professionals who provide gender-affirming care to people 18 and under could face up to 10 years in prison.
“The Transgender Plaintiffs are currently receiving medical care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, for gender dysphoria,” that lawsuit stated. “If allowed to take effect, the Act will interrupt these medically necessary treatments, prevent them from obtaining future medically necessary treatments for gender dysphoria, and cause them to experience irreparable physical and psychological harm.”
Gina Maiola, communications director for Ivey, previously told CNN that the governor’s office is “prepared to defend our values and this legislation” and Ivey has touted the law as a campaign accomplishment.
CNN’s Mary Kay Mallonee contributed to this report.
Source : CNN