ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT
Utah Senate passes transgender-related surgery ban for minors
Jan 26, 2023, 2:18 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2023, 11:51 am
Utah legislators stand on the steps of the Capitol as they join hundreds gathered in support of transgender youth in a rally at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate has passed a bill that bans transgender-related surgeries on minors and pauses the treatment of hormone blockers.
CLARIFICATION, this is on minors. https://t.co/BSESX8GxJh
— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) January 27, 2023
On Thursday, the Utah House made changes to the transgender-related surgery bill for minors.
One change alters the bill to allow minors to withdraw their consent for treatment up to age 25 and sue doctors.
#LATEST: The Utah House passes the bill that bans transgender related surgeries on minors and pauses treatment of hormone blockers.
WITH KEY CHANGES: @kslnewsradio #utpol #utleg
— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) January 26, 2023
Another change nixes the sunset date on hormone blockers. The original version of the bill said that the legislature would take up the issue in four years. That part has been removed and, as such, supporters of trans rights say it’s effectively a ban.
Finally, if both chambers have a two-thirds majority in their votes, the law as written now would take effect immediately after the governor signs it, instead of May as originally written.
Next in the senate for the transgender-related surgery bill
The Senate has placed this bill on its concurrence calendar, which means senators will vote on whether or not they agree with the changes made in the House.
The Utah House Democratic Caucus released a statement on the passage of S.B. 16 on Thursday afternoon.
We are disappointed to see the passage of S.B.16. As House Democrats, we stand with transgender youth, their families, and their doctors as they navigate the passage of this bill and work to get the medical care that they need. The Legislature should not be making a person’s medical decisions for them. This bill is a misguided step by our legislature and a violation of parents’ rights.”
The caucus also says this legislation, if signed into law, will “inevitably lead to litigation and a likely injunction.”
Kira Hoffelmeyer contributed to this report.
Our previous coverage:
- Trans woman makes history in Sanpete County with gender change
- Transgender youth-related bills pass Senate, advance to Utah House
- Bills focused on transgender youth get ok from Senate committee, will now go to full chamber
- Bill banning transgender-related surgeries on minors advances after key Senate vote
