AG Ken Paxton's Appeal Notice
AG Ken Paxton's Appeal Notice
AG Ken Paxton's Appeal Notice
D-1-GN-22-000977
Defendants Greg Abbott in his official capacity as Governor of the State of Texas (“Governor
Abbott”), Jaime Masters in her official capacity of Commissioner of the Department of Family and
Protective Services (“Commissioner Masters”), and the Texas Department of Family and Protective
Services (“DFPS”) (collectively, “Defendants”) respectfully appeal the Court’s interlocutory order of
March 2, 2022. Said Order implicitly denied Defendants’ plea to the jurisdiction and granted Plaintiffs’
request for a temporary restraining order. The Order enjoins Defendants from taking any actions
against Plaintiffs based solely on the Governor’s February 22, 2022 letter and DFPS statement of the
same date, as well as Attorney General Opinion No. KP-0401; the Order further enjoins Defendants
from taking any employment action or investigating reports against Plaintiffs based solely on
facilitating or providing gender-affirming care to transgender minors based on the fact that the minors
treatment.
Defendants are entitled to an interlocutory appeal pursuant to Civil Practice and Remedies
Code section 51.014(a)(8), which allows for an immediate appeal from an order that denies a plea to
the jurisdiction. Defendants appeal to the Third Court of Appeals. This is an accelerated appeal as
provided by Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 28.1. This is not a parental termination or child
Pursuant to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 51.014(b), all further proceedings in
this court are stayed pending resolution of Defendants’ appeal. Upon filing of this instrument, the
March 2, 2022 Order is superseded pursuant to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section
6.001(b) and Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 29.1(b). Pursuant to section 6.001, as governmental
officers/entities, Defendants are not required to file a supersedeas bond for court costs. Defendants’
Respectfully submitted,
KEN PAXTON
Attorney General of Texas
BRENT WEBSTER
First Assistant Attorney General
GRANT DORFMAN
Deputy First Assistant Attorney General
SHAWN COWLES
Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation
THOMAS A. ALBRIGHT
Chief for General Litigation Division
I certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing document has been served electronically
through the electronic-filing manager in compliance with TRCP 21a on March 2, 2022 to: