JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday regarding a state law that bans children from receiving most transgender treatments.

Opponents of the SAFE Act argued that what lawmakers did in 2023 is unconstitutional and unjust. 

“This law is one that does not classify based on medical use, but targets a gender transition, which is a defining feature of transgender people,” said Nora Huppert, Senior Attorney at Lambda Legal.

But Missouri’s new solicitor general told the state’s high court that the law, which was passed by the Missouri Legislature, is indeed constitutional. 

“Opponents say that the setback violates Missouri’s Equal Protection Clause, which doesn't discriminate on the basis of sex or, alternatively, transgender status,” said Louis J. Capozzi III, who was arguing for the first time in front of the supreme court. “But the US Supreme Court in the 8th Circuit explicitly rejected these claims, and that settles this case.”

The seven-member court will now offer a ruling on the matter, something that could come as early as the next few weeks.

The transgender case was one of three that the court heard oral arguments on.