Utah Gov Spencer Cox signs bill to permanently ban cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers for minors

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has signed a bill that will permanently extend a moratorium on the use of cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers being used for sex change treatments for minors in Utah.

HB174, which was sponsored by GOP state lawmakers Rep. Rex Shipp and Sen. Daniel McCay, "prohibits providing cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers to minors" who are seeking to be treated for gender dysphoria or identify as transgender.

The bill extends a previous measure that had been a simple moratorium on cross-sex hormones as well as puberty blockers for minors. The bill is set to take effect on May 6. The moratorium was signed by Cox in 2023.

The move from Cox also came as other states were taking similar steps in 2023. He said at the time, "These permanent and life-altering treatments for new patients until more and better research can help determine the long-term consequences."

"While we understand our words will be of little comfort to those who disagree with us, we sincerely hope that we can treat our transgender families with more love and respect as we work to better understand the science and consequences behind these procedures," Cox added.

The move was applauded by some who are sometimes critical of the Utah governor, who has a history of taking a softer policy approach when it comes to trans issues. In 2022, Cox vetoed a bill that banned trans-identified males from playing in girls' sports. The law was still passed at the time as the GOP-controlled House overrode Cox's veto. In addition to the 2022 veto, Cox was under fire the same year for telling a group of students his "preferred pronouns" while speaking to them over a video call.