HB 318 modifies Utah's budget procedures for state agencies that charge other state agencies for services (internal service fund agencies). It requires these agencies to submit detailed rate data to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget and Legislative Fiscal Analyst *before* billing other agencies, including cost breakdowns and justification for fees. The bill also mandates annual reports on actual costs and revenue for each fee charged. These changes aim to increase transparency around interagency billing without appropriating new funds.
HB 301 "Drug Recodification" is a procedural bill that reorganizes Utah's existing drug laws by moving certain criminal drug offenses from Title 58 (Occupations and Professions) into Title 76 (Utah Criminal Code). It updates cross-references across multiple statutes and adds coordination clauses to align with related legislation, such as S.B. 117 on licensing. The bill makes technical changes to improve the structure of drug-related provisions without creating new penalties or appropriating funds. This reorganization affects how Utah's legal code references drug offenses but does not change the underlying criminal penalties or directly impact individuals.
HB 276 creates Utah's "Digital Voyeurism Prevention Act" to address non-consensual AI-generated intimate images. It directly affects platforms and services that let users create such images (called "generation services"), requiring them to obtain and verify explicit consent from the person depicted before distributing any AI-generated intimate image. The bill mandates platforms to implement verification systems, disclose provenance data for AI content, and follow notice-and-takedown procedures for violations. It establishes civil liability for damages, including actual losses and attorney fees, enforced by Utah's Division of Consumer Protection.
This bill directs Utah's state health plan (PEHP) to make specific changes to its drug coverage starting in 2027. It requires PEHP to include at least one non-opioid pain medication alternative for every opioid drug in its formulary (drug list), and prohibits using cost-sharing, prior authorization, or other extra steps to discourage patients from choosing these alternatives. The resolution aims to address coverage gaps that may lead patients toward opioids instead of safer options. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a law, and applies directly to PEHP's coverage policies.)
HB 370 strengthens oversight of the Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry by clarifying definitions and assigning specific monitoring duties to local law enforcement and the Division of Adult Probation and Parole. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to create a monitoring program for sex offenders who cannot provide a residential address and to establish an online training program for those who work with offenders. It also mandates that courts issue arrest warrants for certain offenders upon finding probable cause, while creating criminal penalties for failing to comply with the new monitoring requirements. These changes aim to improve tracking and supervision of registered sex offenders through updated legal responsibilities and enforcement mechanisms.
HB 240 establishes licensing and certification requirements for businesses and individuals servicing large carbon dioxide systems in Utah. It directly affects technicians and companies that install, maintain, or repair systems holding 100 pounds or more of carbon dioxide, commonly used in fire suppression. The bill requires the Utah Fire Prevention Board to create rules, application forms, and fees for a state licensing program, mandating certification for all personnel performing service work on these systems. It defines "carbon dioxide system" to include related equipment like pipes and gas detection, and makes technical updates to existing fire safety codes. The bill does not appropriate funds or change current fire safety standards beyond this new regulatory framework.
SB 110 creates a court process to validate marriages that weren't properly solemnized (e.g., without an officiant or license) in Utah. It requires individuals to file a court petition before May 5, 2027, proving they met specific criteria like cohabitation, mutual marital duties, and public recognition as spouses. After this deadline, no petitions will be accepted, making such marriages permanently unvalidated. The bill directly affects people in informal or "common law" marriage situations who lack formal marriage documentation. It amends Utah law to establish this specific legal pathway with a clear deadline.
SB 83 amends Utah's controlled substance scheduling laws to automatically align state schedules with federal changes. Specifically, it requires Utah to automatically reschedule pharmaceutical compositions of substances previously classified as Schedule I under federal law if the federal government reschedules them. This affects pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers who handle these substances, as it eliminates the need for separate state legislative action when federal scheduling changes. The bill does not add new substances to schedules or appropriate funds, focusing solely on streamlining the rescheduling process.
HB 339 requires the University of Utah Health to study whether a street medicine program could operate in Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties by 2027. It directs Utah's Department of Health to develop guidelines for street medicine providers by July 2026, covering Medicaid coverage and community resources. The bill defines "street medicine" as healthcare provided outside clinics to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, such as those sleeping in vehicles, parks, or encampments. These guidelines and the feasibility study aim to create a framework for this type of care, with no new funding allocated.
HB 270 voids non-compete agreements between employers and licensed healthcare workers in Utah, effective May 6, 2026. It specifically targets agreements that restrict healthcare workers - such as nurses, doctors, therapists, and counselors - from practicing in certain areas or for specific time periods after leaving a job. The bill also makes void certain nonsolicitation agreements between employers and healthcare workers under defined circumstances. This applies to all 35+ licensed healthcare professions listed in the bill, including advanced practice nurses, psychologists, and physical therapists, without creating new financial obligations.
SCR 6 is a non-binding resolution encouraging Utah's medical community to improve awareness, education, and diagnosis of POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) in children and adolescents, and urging insurers to cover diagnosis and treatment gaps. It highlights that 77% of POTS patients are initially misdiagnosed, Utah ranks 49th in primary care access, and POTS affects an estimated 3 million U.S. patients, often leading to disability. The resolution does not create new laws or appropriate funds but calls for systemic changes to address barriers in pediatric autonomic disorder care. It specifically targets pediatric patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies without mandating action.
HB 289 updates Utah's laws regarding child sexual abuse material to address AI-generated content. It defines "apparent child sexual abuse material" as AI-created images that realistically depict minors, creating new standalone offenses for possessing or distributing such material. The bill also defines "obscene child sexual abuse material" and amends existing definitions to exclude artificially generated content from the main "child sexual abuse material" category. These changes specifically target individuals who create, distribute, or possess AI-generated images that appear to show minors, while removing AI content from the primary legal definition. The bill amends multiple Utah code sections without appropriating funds.
