Legislation

The original version of HB174 would have largely ended the provision allowing some minors to continue receiving gender-affirming care after being grandfathered in under the original ban passed in 2023, SB16. After much negotiating, the final version of the bill allows minors who are at least 16 years old and already taking hormone therapy on the effective date of the bill to continue their treatment. However, the bill requires all other minors to end their gender affirming care by January 28, 2027. .  

This bill would have prohibited 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 would have also required public employers to offer a religious exemption from any requirement to use preferred pronouns, names, or other gender-specific language.  

HB88 attempted to require verification of valid immigration status to access certain major state- or grant-funded healthcare and social services programs or grants. These programs are currently exempt from checking immigration status in alignment with federal law. These services included food assistance (including for children), vaccinations, services for domestic violence victims, housing assistance, testing and treatment of communicable diseases, and more.  

This bill attempted to change the name of Harvey Milk Boulevard in Salt Lake City to Charlie Kirk Boulevard, stripping the name of a beloved street and undermining local control

HB183 was a broad attack on trans and nonbinary Utahns. The bill would have prohibited anyone who does not present as their biological sex from working as a teacher or staff member in public schools, or as 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, such as pediatricians.  

HB193 would have prohibited the use of public funds to pay for gender affirming care for both minors and adults, including hormone treatment and surgical procedures. If passed, individuals would no longer be able to use Medicare, Medicaid, the state health plan, or other public funds to cover such treatment.

Like the proposed SAVE Act in the U.S. Congress, HB209 will require individuals to provide proof of citizenship to be able to vote in state elections. Under the bill, proof of citizenship would include a state ID that verifies your citizenship (such as your driver’s license if you provided proof of citizenship in your application), your birth certificate, passport, naturalization documents, or tribal identification card or Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood. This requirement will likely be burdensome to women or other voters who have undergone a name change, who will now need to provide even more documentation, such as a marriage certificate.    

SB110 would end common law marriage in Utah and require all marriages to be properly solemnized.

This bill would further erode the Judiciary's power, undermining the essential checks and balances in our government. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow the governor to nominate judges whether or not they were recommended by the judicial nominating committee. It also removes deadlines for appointments and the ability of the Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court to fill vacancies that the governor does not fill in a timely manner. If the bill is passed, the proposed amendment will be on the ballot in 2026.