Montana Court Blocks Transgender ID Rules

The Montana Supreme Court has upheld a lower court's injunction blocking a law that bans gender-affirming care for minors, citing potential violations of the state constitution's right to privacy. This decision allows the case to proceed to trial, where the constitutionality of Senate Bill 99 will be further examined. Concurrently, a district court has temporarily blocked state rules that prevented transgender individuals from updating their identification documents, which were enforced following a law that defined sex as binary. Plaintiffs argue that these rules are discriminatory and unconstitutional, while the state maintains they comply with the law. The rulings highlight ongoing legal battles in Montana surrounding transgender rights, with advocates emphasizing the importance of accurate identification for various legal processes. The ACLU of Montana is actively involved in these cases, arguing for the protection of transgender rights under the state constitution.