YWCA Utah's Liz Owens, CEO, and Mindy Maude, VP of Domestic Violence and Residential Services, presented to the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (EOCJ) seeking $1.7M in one-time state funding to implement critical upgrades to our safety and security infrastructure.

Rep. Jen Dailey-Provost, who sponsored the request, highlighted the incredible work of shelter advocates and implored the committee to be a state partner in ensuring, "safety for those who keep others safe."

Status: The EOCJ will finish hearing all funding requests in the next week. They will submit their prioritized list to the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC), comprised of legislative leadership, that will make final funding decisions by the end of the legislative session. Stay tuned for action alerts related to this request.

Sponsors: Rep. Birkeland (R), Sen. McCay (R). This bill narrowly defines sex and prohibits transgender children and adults from using restrooms, showers, or locker rooms in schools and in public facilities that reflect their gender identity unless they have undergone gender reassignment surgery and have a birth certificate showing the corresponding sex. Transgender adults who use these spaces could be charged with lewdness, loitering, and criminal trespass.

YWCA Utah proudly stands with the transgender community and strongly opposes this bill. Restricting access to public restrooms and accommodations has long been a tactic of those who seek to further marginalize, dehumanize, and control the Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, and immigrant communities. Unfortunately, transgender children and adults are the current target.

An initial version of the bill included domestic violence shelters, rape recovery centers, and victim services. YWCA Utah and others successfully lobbied for those to be removed.

Status: Passed in House (58-16-1) and Senate (20-8-1). It has been sent to the Senate President and will be sent to Gov. Cox for signing.

Rep. Hall (R), Sen. Grover (R). This bill bans diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and training in higher education, the public education system, and government offices.

Status: Passed in House (60-14-1) and Senate (23-6-0). It has been sent to the Senate President and will be sent to Gov. Cox for signing.

Rep. Stoddard (D), requests $120M in one-time funding for a "one-year extension of stabilization grants currently received by hundreds of licensed child care providers in Utah, funded with lapsing federal dollars. These grants have allowed child care programs to remain open across the state, bucking negative national trends, and allowing countless Utahns to contribute to the workforce." Read more here.

Status: On January 29, 2024, Rep. Stoddard will present to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee, which starts at 8 am. Watch here.