INDIANAPOLIS—Today, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking Senate Enrolled Act 480 from going into effect. The law aims to prohibit healthcare professionals from providing, or referring, transgender young people for gender-affirming health care. Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) issued the following statement:

“I’m extremely grateful and overjoyed that a federal judge today ruled in favor of protecting Indiana kids, listening to experts and ensuring access to vital healthcare,” Sen. Yoder said. “Gender-affirming care is healthcare, and it’s so important that parents are not blocked by the government from accessing treatments and support that are both essential to the wellbeing of Hoosier kids and also life-saving. While this is just a preliminary injunction, it’s absolutely a victory for the young people who will have access to the care they need as the court deliberates this issue. I’m hopeful that SEA 480 will ultimately be struck down in full, because we know it’s a harmful law that attempts to punish and erase groups that the Republican supermajority continues to carry out a personal vendetta against. Our job as legislators is not to push policies that score political points to the detriment of residents but to support the life, liberty and well-being of all Hoosiers. This injunction ensures Indiana is doing what the Legislature should be doing: protecting minors and supporting happy, long lives for our kids.”