Alabama bill banning hormone therapy, surgery for transgender youths takes effect

A new law in Alabama banning puberty-blockers, hormone therapy, and certain types of surgery for youths identifying as transgender took effect Sunday, as a federal judge continues to mull whether to place a temporary hold on it.

The law makes such treatments to those younger than 19 a crime punishable by up to a decade in prison.

GOP Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill early last month. Similar legislation was blocked by the courts last year prior to taking effect.

The current suit against the Alabama law was brought by organizations including the Human Rights Campaign and LGBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. The organizations argue the ban will cause "immediate and irreparable" harm to the plaintiffs and that it violates their constitutional rights.

The Justice Department has joined the case, arguing the legislation violates the "equal protection clause" of the Fourteenth Amendment. The suit was initially filed on behalf of parents of transgender youth in Alabama, two doctors and a minister.

GOP lawmakers across the country have introduced a number of bills aimed at transgender youth in recent months.

Some seek to protect fair competition in girls and women's sports, while others, such as the Alabama bill, attempt to establish guardrails around medical procedures often with irreversible consequences.