Overview
- Five inmates filed a federal lawsuit in Salt Lake City against the Utah Department of Corrections and the Utah Department of Health & Human Services.
- The complaint alleges a blanket ban on initiating hormone therapy under HB252, disregarding individualized medical needs and provider judgment.
- Plaintiffs seek access to prescribed hormone treatments as well as evaluations and approval for gender-affirming surgeries while incarcerated.
- The suit argues the policy denies timely assessments and condition-specific mental health care and unlawfully singles out gender dysphoria for unequal treatment under the ADA.
- Corrections officials said they provide appropriate care and will vigorously defend their practices, while DHHS declined comment and no court ruling has been issued.