The State of Texas is once again suing the Biden administration, this time over a federal rule that would force healthcare entities to provide contraception to minors without parental consent.
Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday that the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services targets a new federal rule purporting “to nullify parents’ state-law rights to consent to their children’s medical care.”
At issue is a new rule under Title X, the federal Public Health Service Act. While Title X has long provided grants to increase the availability of contraceptives, the federal government has been required to adhere to relevant state laws when distributing these grants.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held earlier this year that Title X projects must comply with Texas’ parental consent laws regarding contraception for minors.
However, the new rule specifically states, “Title X projects may not require consent of parents or guardians for the provision of services to minors, nor can any Title X project staff notify a parent or guardian before or after a minor has requested and/or received Title X family planning services.”
As the Biden administration tries once again to circumvent parental rights, Paxton is requesting that the courts vacate the latest agency rule and issue a permanent injunction against its continued enforcement.
“By attempting to force Texas healthcare providers to offer contraceptives to children without parental consent, the Biden Administration continues to prove they will do anything to implement their extremist agenda—even undermine the Constitution and violate the law,” said Paxton. “Federal courts have already shut down their previous attack on parental rights, and I will ensure that we stop them once again.”
