Utah Becomes First State to Ban Fluoride in Public Drinking Water

Utah became the first state to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water after Gov. Spencer Cox [pictured right] signed the law late Thursday night. The ban will take effect on May 7.

Rep. Stephanie Gricius, who sponsored the bill, said in an email to The Defender that she was thrilled the governor signed it. She said:

“The proper role of government is to provide safe, clean drinking water, not mass medicate the public. While we have banned it from being added to our water systems, we have also increased access to fluoride tablets through the pharmacies so any Utahn who wishes to take it may. But it will now be a decision each individual can make for themselves.”

The new law bans water fluoridation, but also gives pharmacists new authority to prescribe fluoride supplement pills. Typically, such pills can be prescribed only by a dentist or physician.  

“What Utah has accomplished is historic, a huge step forward,” said Rick North, board member of the Fluoride Action Network (FAN), which won a landmark ruling in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the agency’s failure to appropriately regulate the chemical.

Utah Set to Ban Fluoride From Drinking Water

Joseph MacKinnon March 11, 2025 

The Beehive State would be the first in the union to prohibit the addition of fluoride to the water supply.

The Utah Senate approved legislation Friday that would prohibit the addition of fluoride to public water systems. The bill, criticized by the American Dental Association and a handful of supposed health experts, is now headed to the desk of Governor Spencer Cox, who has indicated he will sign it into law.

While the Beehive State is now set to become the first in the union to pass such a ban, it is unlikely to be the last.

The fluoridation of public waters has long been a subject of heated debate. Advocates for fluoridation argue that the chemical compound helps prevent cavities and tooth decay and strengthens enamel. Critics, on the other hand, suggest that adding fluoride to the water supply poses an unnecessary risk, referring to the scientific evidence linking exposure at elevated levels to various adverse health effects in humans, such as osteosclerosis, calcification of tendons, endocrine dysfunction, bone deformities, premature menarche in adolescent girls, and problems sleeping.

Bill Dies Without Significant Action

Utah Legislature

On January 16, 2020, HB 93 was introduced in the House, seeking to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.

On January 27, 2020, the bill was introduced in the House Rules Committee, for first reading.

On March 12, 2020, the bill became a bill not passed.  To read the proposed bill, click here

Bill Numbered and Distributed

By Margaret K. Dore, Esq.

On January 3, 2020, H.B. 93, "End of Life Prescription Provisions," was numbered and publicly distributed. 

The bill also has a "long title," which states: "This bill amends the Utah Uniform Probate Code to enact the End of Life Options Act." 

Euthanasia Bill Dead for Now

Click here to view source article.

by Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor - Utah Policy.Com

A Democratic-sponsored, end of life bill is, for now, dead in the Utah Legislature.

The House Rules Committee, voting along partisan lines, refused Thursday to allow HB121 to be heard by a standing committee – thus killing the bill unless at a later date Rules members change their minds....

Unless House Democrats can get enough floor votes to lift HB121 from Rules (not likely), or unless Republicans on Rules change their minds (that could happen), end of life legislation is dead in the 2019 Legislature, before the first week is even over.

Utah Teen Who Filmed Girl's Suicide Sentenced to Prison

Tyerell Przybycien 

Nate Carlisle, The Salt Lake City Tribune 

Provo - A 19-year-old man was sentenced to five years to life in prison Friday for helping a teenage girl hang herself and then filmng the act.

Tyerell Przybycien apologized to Jchandra Brown's mother and said he hoped him taking responsibility by pleading guilty would help everyone heal.

"I'm also hoping that,  although I don't deserve it, the victims's family will be able to forgive me for the immature, thoughtless and rash decision," Przybycien told the judge.