A new Florida law restricting medical treatment for transgender adults and prohibiting such care for many transgender minors can proceed as a class action, a federal judge has decided. 

Judge Robert Hinkle of the Northern District of Florida said plaintiffs have met their burdens for moving the case forward as a class action. In an Oct. 18 certification order, Hinkle said two classes would be established: one consisting of all transgender adults in the state who seek treatment such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or surgery and another made up of all transgender minors seeking treatment with puberty blockers or hormone therapy, as well as their parents.

Hinkle also certified a subclass of the second class, which would consist of transgender minors who are specifically prohibited by the state law from seeking treatment through puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones. The subclass will also include the minors’ parents.