U.S. Judge Blocks Enforcement of Key Parts of Texas Senate Bill 12
A U.S. district judge has issued a preliminary injunction that temporarily prevents the Houston, Katy, and Plano Independent School Districts from enforcing certain aspects of Senate Bill 12 while legal proceedings are underway.
U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump in 2019, ruled that the three school districts cannot implement four specific sections of the state’s ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 schools.
These blocked provisions include bans on student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity, limitations on assignments concerning DEI obligations, and restrictions on classroom instruction related to these topics.
The injunction also stops the school districts from enforcing policies that prevent staff from helping students with what the law describes as “social transition.”
This injunction is specifically relevant to the Houston, Katy, and Plano areas.
On the same day, Judge Eskridge removed Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Moras from the case, determining that enforcement of SB 12 rests with local school districts rather than the state commissioner.
Eskridge pointed out that local districts, not the education commissioner, are responsible for enforcing these laws. Since the Commissioner does not directly enforce the rules at hand, he ruled out any liability for the emotional distress the plaintiffs claim to experience, leading to Moras’s removal from the proceedings.
Legal Challenges in Oklahoma
In a related note, a federal court recently dismissed a challenge to an Oklahoma law that restricts gender reassignment treatment for minors.
Judge Eskridge noted that the three districts did not provide a defense against the law’s merits. He stated, “Houston, Katy and Plano ISD has not offered any explanation, nor cited facts or legal reasons to oppose the requested preliminary injunction.”
The lawsuit was initiated in August by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the Transgender Law Center, and Baker McKenzie, representing student advocacy groups, a teachers’ union, two students, and a teacher. The plaintiffs argue that SB 12 violates the First Amendment and the Equal Access Act.
Brian Klosterboer, chief counsel for the ACLU of Texas, remarked that this ruling is a significant win amid increasing state-sponsored discrimination and censorship regarding discussions on race, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 12 into law in June 2025, which took effect on September 1st.
Eskridge has instructed the three school districts to inform the court within 14 days about their intentions—either to defend SB 12 or to seek support from the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
The injunction will remain active while the case progresses through federal court.
