SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Governor Spencer Cox approved a new wave of legislation on Wednesday, signing 61 bills into law. These measures span a variety of topics, including restrictions on gender-affirming procedures for individuals in state custody and revisions to the state’s election laws.
New Limits on Medical Treatments in State Custody
One of the most significant bills signed, H.B. 252 (State Custody Amendments), establishes restrictions on gender-related medical treatments for inmates and minors in state care. Under this new law, state agencies are prohibited from authorizing or initiating:
- Cross-sex hormone therapy
- Surgical procedures affecting primary or secondary sex characteristics
- Puberty-blocking treatments for minors
Instead, treatment for gender dysphoria will be limited to psychotherapy, mental health services, or other approved non-medical interventions. Additionally, the bill mandates that individuals in state custody must be housed according to their biological sex, preventing male and female individuals from sharing rooms.
Changes to Election Laws
Governor Cox also signed legislation that revises Utah’s election processes. Among them, S.B. 53 (Election Code Amendments) modifies ballot petition rules by eliminating the requirement for signature gatherers to be Utah residents. It also introduces a process for individuals to remove their names from petitions.
Another election-related bill, S.B. 54 (Appearance of Candidate Name on Ballot), establishes new regulations for how candidate names appear on ballots. It includes provisions restricting the use of nicknames and requiring middle names to differentiate candidates with similar first names.
Legislative Session Update
Following this round of approvals, Cox has signed a total of 101 bills from this legislative session, with 481 bills still awaiting action before the March 27 deadline. If no action is taken on a bill by that date, it will automatically become law.
Governor Cox is expected to continue reviewing legislation throughout the week as the session nears its conclusion.
Other Notable Bills Signed
The governor’s latest batch of signed legislation includes measures addressing land use, public health, and economic development. Some key bills include:
- H.B. 115 – Allocates funding for state parks
- H.B. 194 – Introduces regulations for beekeeping and veterinary practices
- H.B. 317 – Establishes incentives for executive agency innovation
- S.B. 161 – Implements amendments to cultural and community engagement policies
- S.B. 284 – Expands Medicaid to cover doula services
For ongoing updates on legislative developments, follow Inside Utah Politics.
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