Utah Republican lawmakers are preparing legislation to permanently ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, despite criticism that a state-commissioned report does not support such restrictions.
House Speaker Mike Schultz said GOP leaders intend to move forward during the 2026 legislative session to convert Utah’s current moratorium on youth transgender medical treatments into a lasting prohibition. The state already bars minors from receiving puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgical interventions related to gender transition.
The renewed push follows the release of a lengthy report from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, which lawmakers requested as part of a 2023 law temporarily halting gender-affirming care for minors. The report reviewed existing medical studies on puberty blockers and hormone therapy and was intended to guide future policy decisions.
While the report acknowledged limitations in long-term data, it found evidence that gender-affirming treatments can improve mental health outcomes for transgender youth. It also stated that claims of widespread harm from such care were not strongly supported by available research.
Despite those findings, Republican lawmakers have questioned the report’s conclusions. Schultz and other legislative leaders argue that the science surrounding pediatric transgender care remains unsettled and that the state should err on the side of caution. They have framed the proposed permanent ban as a measure to protect children from making medical decisions they say could have irreversible consequences.
Medical professionals and LGBTQ advocacy groups have criticized the effort, saying lawmakers are disregarding their own commissioned research. Several national medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society, continue to support access to gender-affirming care for minors when it is clinically indicated and provided with parental consent and medical oversight.
Advocates argue that restricting access to such care can worsen mental health outcomes for transgender youth, particularly for those who experience gender dysphoria. They also warn that legislative interference in medical decision-making undermines the relationship between patients, families, and health care providers.
Civil rights groups have raised additional concerns about the broader legal implications of a permanent ban. The ACLU of Utah has previously criticized similar measures, stating that denying medically recommended care to transgender youth violates constitutional protections and places already vulnerable children at greater risk.
The proposed legislation is expected to face legal scrutiny if enacted. Similar bans in other states have been challenged in federal court, with mixed results as litigation continues nationwide.
As Utah lawmakers prepare draft legislation, both supporters and opponents are mobilizing ahead of what is expected to be a highly contentious debate. The outcome could further shape national efforts to restrict or protect access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
