Utah governor signs gender-affirming health care ban, school choice bills into law

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Saturday signed a bill banning gender-affirming surgery on minors who have not been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. 

The state's Republican-dominated Legislature prioritized the ban and considered a first draft of the measure less than 10 days ago, two days after the Legislature opened this year's session Jan. 17. Gov. Cox signed it a day after the Legislature sent it to his desk. 

The governor said it was important to pause "these permanent and life-altering treatments for new patients until more and better research can help...