Utah Bill Prohibits Transgender Surgery for Minors

Utah minors can now not obtain sex-reassignment surgical procedures after Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, signed a invoice proscribing transgender medical procedures on Saturday.  

The invoice prohibits “performing intercourse attribute surgical procedures on a minor for the aim of effectuating a intercourse change” and permits minors to convey authorized motion towards the one who carried out sex-reassignment surgical procedure on them in the event that they later resign consent.  

“Increasingly more consultants, states, and nations world wide are pausing these everlasting and life-altering remedies for brand spanking new sufferers till extra and higher analysis may help decide the long-term penalties,” Cox mentioned in a information launch. 

Senate Invoice 16 additionally topics sex-change hormonal remedies to a evaluation and certification course of. It raises qualification necessities for suppliers prescribing hormone therapy and prohibits prescriptions for sufferers identified with gender dysphoria after a sure date.  

The governor signed the invoice the day after the Legislature despatched it to his desk, and it took impact instantly. State Sen. Michael S. Kennedy, R-Alpine, sponsored the invoice.  

Kennedy, a former household doctor, mentioned sex-reassignment procedures “lack adequate long-term analysis,” native radio station KUER reported.  

“However nonetheless, our nation is witnessing a radical and harmful push for youngsters to enter this model of well being care,” Kennedy mentioned. 

The Florida Division of Well being launched comparable pointers in April prohibiting sex-reassignment surgical procedure and puberty blocker or hormone remedy prescriptions for minors. Alabama criminalized sex-reassignment procedures for minors in April as nicely, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, ordered the Division of Household and Protecting Companies to research sex-change procedures as little one abuse in February.  

The Utah ACLU chapter launched a press release opposing SB 16, saying, “Additional research of hormone therapy, as required on this invoice, are pointless as there’s already a wealth of scientific proof and consensus amongst main medical {and professional} organizations supporting hormone therapy for transgender youth.” 

Utah turned the primary state to ban sex-reassignment surgical procedure for minors in 2023.

“Laws that impacts our most susceptible youth requires cautious consideration and deliberation,” Cox mentioned. “Whereas not an ideal invoice, we’re grateful for Sen. Kennedy’s extra nuanced and considerate method to this terribly divisive problem.”

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