Judge Blocks Texas DEI Ban in 3 School Districts

Ruling temporarily halts enforcement of law in Houston, Katy, and Plano schools

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the enforcement of key provisions of Texas' Senate Bill 12, which banned diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 schools, in the Houston, Katy, and Plano independent school districts. U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge, a Trump appointee, issued the preliminary injunction, ruling that the three districts did not defend the law on its merits.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant setback for Texas' efforts to restrict discussions of race, gender identity, and sexual orientation in public schools. The injunction allows the three districts to continue operating student clubs, diversity programs, and classroom instruction related to these topics, which were prohibited under the state law.

The details

Judge Eskridge blocked the enforcement of four sections of Senate Bill 12, including the ban on student clubs "based on sexual orientation or gender identity," restrictions on "diversity, equity, and inclusion duties" for school employees, and limits on classroom instruction or programming related to sexual orientation or gender identity. The order also bars the districts from enforcing rules prohibiting employees from assisting students with "social transitioning."

  • On February 20, 2026, Judge Eskridge issued the preliminary injunction.
  • Senate Bill 12 was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in June 2025 and took effect on September 1, 2025.

The players

Charles Eskridge

A U.S. district judge who was nominated by President Donald Trump in 2019.

Greg Abbott

The governor of Texas who signed Senate Bill 12 into law in June 2025.

Mike Morath

The Texas Education Agency Commissioner, who was dismissed from the lawsuit by Judge Eskridge.

American Civil Liberties Union of Texas

The organization that filed the lawsuit along with the Transgender Law Center and the law firm Baker McKenzie, on behalf of student advocacy groups, a teachers union, two students, and a teacher.

Brian Klosterboer

The senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Texas who commented on the ruling.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is a critical victory amidst a surge of state-sponsored discrimination and censorship of vital conversations about race, gender identity, and sexual orientation.”

— Brian Klosterboer, Senior staff attorney, ACLU of Texas (ACLU of Texas)

What’s next

The injunction remains in effect while the case continues in federal court. The three school districts have been ordered to notify the court within 14 days whether they plan to defend Senate Bill 12 or seek representation from the Texas Attorney General's office.

The takeaway

This ruling represents a significant setback for Texas' efforts to restrict discussions of race, gender identity, and sexual orientation in public schools. The preliminary injunction allows the three affected districts to continue operating student clubs, diversity programs, and classroom instruction related to these topics, which were prohibited under the state law.