Utah Considers Ban on Gender-Changing Procedures for Minors

Proposed bill would restrict access to cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers for transgender youth

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:55pm

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The Utah House Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony for and against a proposed bill that would ban gender-changing procedures for minors, including the use of cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Rex P. Shipp, argues the legislation is necessary to protect children, while opponents warn it would harm transgender youth and increase suicide risk.

Why it matters

This proposed legislation is part of a broader national debate over access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Supporters argue such treatments are experimental and can have long-term health consequences, while opponents say restricting access denies critical care and puts vulnerable young people at risk.

The details

House Bill 174 would prohibit giving cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers to minors unless specific circumstances are met. It would also require healthcare professionals to initiate treatment plans for minors who want to end such treatments. Testifying in support was Chloe Cole, a young woman who began transitioning at age 12 and later regretted her decision, citing ongoing health complications. Opposing the bill were David Torrey of Salt Lake City, who said the legislation would create uncertainty and fear, and Dr. Collin Kuhn, a psychologist who warned it could increase suicide attempts among transgender youth.

  • The Utah House Health and Human Services Committee heard comments on the proposed bill on Tuesday.

The players

Rep. Rex P. Shipp

The Republican state representative who introduced House Bill 174 to ban gender-changing procedures for minors.

Chloe Cole

A young woman who began transitioning at age 12 and later regretted her decision, citing ongoing health complications. She now works for the organization Do No Harm and has been speaking out against gender-affirming care for minors.

David Torrey

A Salt Lake City resident who urged the committee not to pass the proposed bill, saying it would create uncertainty and fear for transgender individuals.

Dr. Collin Kuhn

A clinical child and adolescent psychologist who warned the committee that anti-transgender laws can increase suicide attempts among transgender youth.

Dr. Kurt Miceli

The chief medical officer of the organization Do No Harm, who spoke against a 2025 report from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services that was supportive of gender-affirming care for minors.

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What they’re saying

“That last time I was here, I spoke about some of the consequences for my health. Almost none of those complications have gone away since. Some have even worsened over the years.”

— Chloe Cole, Patient advocate (The Center Square)

“Male and female are not feelings. Sex is not a feeling, but an immutable and born characteristic, and it cannot be changed by mutilation or chemical castration. And there is no such thing as a transgender child because no child is born in the wrong body. But if you try to change a child's sex through cruel and experimental drugs and butchery, you are going to leave them scarred for life.”

— Chloe Cole, Patient advocate (The Center Square)

“These bills tell me the care I rely on can be questioned, restricted, or taken away at any time. They force me to live with uncertainty and fear about whether the state will interfere with decisions I make with my doctors about my own body. That fear is constant. It affects my mental health, my sense of safety and my ability to plan my life here in Utah.”

— David Torrey (The Center Square)

“What we see with the anti-trans laws, and what they cause, is up to a 72% increase in suicide attempts.”

— Dr. Collin Kuhn, Clinical child and adolescent psychologist (The Center Square)

What’s next

The Utah House Health and Human Services Committee will continue to consider House Bill 174 and may vote on whether to advance the legislation to the full House for further debate.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation in Utah reflects the ongoing national debate over access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth. While supporters argue such treatments are experimental and harmful, opponents warn that restricting access could have devastating mental health consequences for vulnerable young people.