What happens at the Capitol impacts our lives. We want to help you understand the bills that became laws, amendments to laws, and bills that will be back next session.
Every year the Utah State Legislature convenes for an impactful 45 day general session. In 2022, the session convened on January 18 and adjourned on March 4.
During the 2022 session, no new abortion restrictions were passed. However, the legislature passed a law that targets trans and non-binary youth athletes.
This legislation removes the sunset date from the law passed in 2021 requiring county jails to provide inmates with prescribed contraceptives. Prior to this law people entering Utah jails were often forced to discontinue their contraceptive method. Contraceptive care is medical care and is used to treat and manage a wide range of medical conditions that have a substantial impact on quality of life. Disrupting access to contraception for even a few days can diminish the medication's efficiency. This law affirms reproductive health care, specifically contraceptive care is available as part of carceral care.
Effective date: May 4, 2022
This harmful legislation targets trans and non-binary youth. A commission will determine individual eligibility fir transgender and non-binary youth to participate in K-12 sports. And impose a hormone treatment requirement for a student athlete whose birth certificate is amended to reflect a male-to-female transition. Governor Cox vetoed this bill but the Legislator overrode the veto.
Effective date: July 1, 2022
Makes changes to the online module to include video images of fetal development, audio of fetal heartbeats, and photos and descriptions of abortion procedures. Requires patients to sign a certificate under penalty of perjury in the presence of a witness from the health center that they viewed the entire online module. Requires all patients completing the informed consent counseling sessions to make two trips to a health center at least 72 hours apart. Requires reporting of abortion procedure complications. And a $50,000 fine for a physician who violates this statute.
Sponsor: Rep. Kera Birkeland
Location: House file for bills not passed
Thank you to everyone who contacted their rep -- this bill did not advance!
Creates a commission to determine individual eligibility for transgender and non-binary youth to participate in K-12 sports. Imposes a hormone treatment requirement for a student athlete whose birth certificate is amended to reflect a male-to-female transition.
Despite opposition to the amendment from both sides of the aisle, the bill narrowly passed in a 16-13 vote. It then went back to the House, where it passed 46-29.
Sponsor: Rep. Kera Birkeland, Sen. Curtis Bramble
Location: Enrolling - Governor Cox stated he will veto the bill
Please thank Governor Cox and all the legislators who voted against this bill. You can find the Senate vote here and House votes here to see who to thank.
Makes it unprofessional conduct for a health care professional to provide gender-affirming health care for a minor.
Sponsor: Rex Shipp
Location: House file for bills not passed
Modifies the elements of the offense of prostitution; adjusts the elements and penalties for the offense of patronizing a prostitute; amends the enhanced penalties for HIV positive offenders for the offenses of prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, and sexual solicitation.
Sponsor: Rep. Susan Pulsipher, Sen. Wayne Harper
Location: Enrolling
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