POLITICS + GOVERNMENT

Utah Senate approves changes to transgender care bill, passes on to Gov. Cox

Jan 27, 2023, 1:08 PM | Updated: Oct 19, 2023, 1:02 pm

A bill on transgender healthcare — banning transgender-related surgeries and puberty blockers for...

Voting is completed on SB16 transgender bill in the Senate at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill on transgender healthcare — banning transgender-related surgeries and puberty blockers for minors — passed in the Utah House Thursday after last-minute changes. Those changes sent the bill back to the Senate, which passed the bill Friday.

SB16 bans gender-confirming surgeries and places a moratorium on puberty blockers for minors. Gender-affirming surgeries are medical treatments that transgender and nonbinary people sometimes use to transition or alter their physical characteristics.

The changes to this bill included that the bill will be immediately implemented after the governor’s signature. In addition, doctors can be held accountable for litigation, meaning if a person regretted the transgender-related surgeries or treatment they received later in life, they will have an easier path to sue the doctor responsible for the treatment.

Bill sponsor Sen. Mike Kennedy said he tried to do this bill justice…but the House had its way with it.

“I would bet every dollar in my bank account right now that this will be litigated. And at this point, it is going to be,” Kennedy said. “And we’ll have to allow additional steps in our societal process to make the terminations to where this will go.”

The Utah Senate Democrats issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s decision:

“Without question, we remain opposed to S.B. 16, especially with the addition of an immediate effective date and the serious consent and liability concerns that impact our health care providers. The devastating weight of this bill is felt by our trans children, our families, and our medical providers. As legislators, it is our responsibility to develop answers to these difficult questions, and the Senate Democrats are committed to continue working in this space toward compassionate, data-driven public policy. Additionally, we will always challenge these types of negative proposals and will work to mitigate consequences. To the families and children impacted today—we see you, we love you, and we will continue to hear your stories and fight for you and your pursuit of happiness.”

A number of bills regarding transgender youth were up for debate in 2023 including SB100, which would prohibit school districts from changing the student’s identity as it relates to gender without parental permission, and  SB93 which would prohibit changing the name or gender on a minor’s birth certificate.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Politics + Government

none of the above voters dislike both president biden, pictured left, and former president trump, p...

Simone Seikaly

There’s probably more “none of the above” voters than we know

A 'none of the above' voter doesn't like any of the candidates running for the U.S. presidency. Right now 20% of U.S. voters feel this way.

9 hours ago

Former US President and current GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump...

MICHAEL R. SISAK, Associated Press

Trump’s lawyers say it is impossible for him to post bond covering $454 million civil fraud judgment

Trump's lawyers said “obtaining an appeal bond in the full amount” of the judgment “is not possible under the circumstances presented."

9 hours ago

us capitol shown, government shutdown deadline approaching...

Lauren Fox, Clare Foran and Manu Raju, CNN

Border policy a key sticking point in Congress with shutdown deadline just days away

While government operations would halt if funding is not approved in time, the damage would be minimal if a shutdown is relegated to the weekend.

10 hours ago

supreme court shown, social media decision...

MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press

Supreme Court seems favorable to Biden administration over efforts to combat social media posts

The case Monday was among several the court is considering that affect social media companies in the context of free speech.

10 hours ago

Sen Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, speaks during a Senate Business and Labor Committee meeting at the Cap...

Dan Bammes

Utahn who’s served 24 years in the legislature, is stepping down

Bramble will serve through Dec. 31, 2024, said the deputy chief of staff for the Utah Senate. He will not run for re-election.

10 hours ago

FILE - The TikTok app logo appears in Tokyo, on Sept. 28, 2020. US lawmakers are concerned about Be...

Laura He, CNN

Analysis: Is TikTok really Chinese?

U.S. lawmakers say they worry TikTok could share data with the Chinese government, what is the evidence that supports these concerns?

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Utah Senate approves changes to transgender care bill, passes on to Gov. Cox