BATON ROUGE - The ACLU of Louisiana released the following statement upon the Senate Health and Welfare Committee’s deferral of House Bill 648, a bill that would have banned gender-affirming care for transgender children in Louisiana:

"The Senate Health and Welfare Committee has chosen to protect Louisiana’s transgender children by rejecting HB648. This is a powerful win for transgender children and their families. We lift up and celebrate the incredible families, advocates, providers, and lawmakers who worked to stop this dangerous bill that targeted transgender children and stripped rights from their parents. 

“The fight to protect the rights of transgender children and their families is far from over. But make no mistake, as states across the country pass harmful bills that mirror HB648, today's committee vote matters, and sends a powerful message that will be heard nationwide."

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