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Gender-reaffirming surgery, a procedure to alter a person’s genitalia to match their gender identity that has long been a target of Texas Republicans, will now be considered a form of child abuse, the Texas Department for Family and Protective Services on Wednesday declared. The state agency made the determination after Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday directed the agency, tasked with protecting children from abuse, to “please issue a determination of whether genital mutilation of a child for purposes of gender transitioning through reassignment surgery constitutes child abuse.” (Zong, 8/11)

A northern Virginia school board voted Wednesday evening to approve a new policy expanding the rights of transgender students. In what was seen as a victory for LGBTQ advocates, the Loudoun County School Board approved the policy by a 7-to-2 vote following hours of debate and after minor amendments were made. "LCPS’ number one priority is to foster the success of all students and ensure they feel safe, secure, accepted, and ready to learn at school," Loudoun County Public Schools said in a statement. "The school division will continue to do its due diligence in creating that environment and remaining open and transparent with all LCPS partners, community members, and stakeholders." (Aaro, 8/12)

The family of a University of Maryland freshman who died in 2018 of complications from adenovirus says the university and two former officials were responsible, according to a multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed Wednesday in Prince George’s County. The suit, which also names former university president Wallace D. Loh and former Health Center director David R. McBride, claims U-Md. failed to inform students that the adenovirus was present on campus until Olivia Paregol, 18, died of complications in November. The delay in communication left students such as Paregol, who had a weakened immune system, particularly vulnerable, the suit says. (Lumpkin, 8/11)

This week, Louisiana stopped issuing unemployment checks to nearly 150,000 residents, or about 1 of every 30 state residents. The move marks the end of the state’s participation in several federal aid programs five weeks ahead of their official expiration date. Gov. John Bel Edwards agreed to a July 31 cutoff for the enhanced unemployment benefits back in June, when the pandemic was at a standstill and business owners were complaining that the payments were encouraging workers to stay home. (Paterson, 8/11)