Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has dropped an investigation into a Seattle hospital his office suspects unlawfully provided care to Texas minors for the purpose of changing sexes, court records show.
In exchange, Seattle Children’s Hospital agreed to withdraw its registration to do business in Texas and to end a lawsuit it brought last year to halt Paxton’s investigation.
In a statement, Paxton said the hospital potentially violates a state law passed last year that prohibits the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors. Specifically, he alleges that when Texas children leave the facility, the hospital transmits prescriptions to Texas children and pharmacies for the banned drugs.
In November, Paxton opened an investigation into the hospital. Rather than turn over records sought by Paxton, the hospital sued him in Texas state court.
The case is Seattle Children’s Hospital v. Texas Attorney General, Tex. Dist. Ct., No. D-1-GN-23-008855, 4/19/24.
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