Legislation

This bill creates new, standalone offenses criminalizing performances in the presence of minors that are vaguely and broadly defined as "pornographic" or "harmful to minors." This is Rep. Jack's third attempt to run a bill like this with the goal of criminalizing drag performances.

HB174 builds on SB16, the bill passed during the 2023 legislative session that largely banned gender affirming care for minors. HB174 would eliminate exceptions created in SB16 allowing individuals to continue care they were already receiving, and instead forces them to end their ongoing care y January 28, 2027. The bill also removes the requirement set forth in SB16 that the state must continue to review medical evidence regarding gender affirming care, essentially closing the door on the topic.

HB183 is a broad attack on trans and nonbinary Utahns. The bill would prohibit anyone who does not present as their biological sex from working as a teacher or staff in public schools or for certain healthcare providers licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services if their role requires contact with a child for more than five minutes. HB183 would also essentially ban gender marker changes on birth certificates. Additionally, the bill gets rid of some protections and guidelines preventing discrimination based on gender identity, including allowing some employers and landlords to discriminate against an individual due to their gender identity. Additionally, the bill requires state agencies to use the term "sex" instead of "gender" in all agency rulemaking, and makes corresponding changes to state code. Lastly, in child custody proceedings, the bill would require a court to consider one parent's disapproval of the child's gender identity (if it conflicts with the child's biological sex) as a factor in favor of awarding custody to that parent.

HB193 would prohibit the use of public funds to pay for gender affirming care, including hormone treatment and surgical procedures, for both minors and adults. If passed, individuals could not use Medicare, Medicaid, the state health plan, or other public funds to cover such treatment.

This bill would prohibit the Utah State Board of Education, local school districts, and other public employers from disciplining an employee for misgendering or using non-preferred gender-specific language or names for a student, coworker, or other individuals. The bill also requires public employers to offer a religious exemption to any requirement to use preferred pronouns, names, or other gender-specific language.

HB196 undermines local control and serves only to stoke inflammatory politics in Utah. Despite current Utah law giving municipalities the power to name their own streets, this bill would rename Harvey Milk Boulevard in Salt Lake City to Charlie Kirk Boulevard. This bill goes even further however, allowing the Legislature to rename any city-owned streets.