Utah law protects minors from transgender treatment

Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill Saturday that protects Utah minors from transgender surgery if they have not already received a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. He said the bill pauses the life-altering treatment until more research has been done—especially into long-term consequences. Another 18 states are considering similar bills to protect minors from transgender surgeries.

Did Utah pass any other bills? That same day, Cox signed a school-choice bill that gives scholarships to students for resources like private schools, homeschooling resources, and tutoring. The Iowa legislature passed a similar bill last week. Now, each approved student in Utah will get an $8,000 education savings account. There is no income cap, but lower-income families will get first priority, and the program is limited to $42 million. The bill also includes salary increases for teachers.

Dig deeper: Read Adele Fulton’s report in Liberties on doctors fighting requirements for “gender-affirming” care.