HB 208 amends Utah's parentage laws to clarify and limit timelines for establishing parentage. It limits past child support liability to one year before filing a claim (previously four years), sets new deadlines for filing parentage actions (children must file before age 18, or by age 26 for those born after May 6, 2026), and clarifies how parentage claims can be raised during divorce proceedings. The bill directly affects unmarried biological fathers, birth mothers, and children seeking to establish legal parentage. These changes take effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.
HB 245, the Construction Wage Standard Act, requires contractors working on Utah public construction projects (costing $100,000 or more) to pay qualifying employees at least the minimum wage set by the Labor Commission for their occupation and county. The Labor Commission must determine and publish these wage standards annually, based on prevailing wages, and contractors must keep records of wages paid. This applies to workers directly on-site (excluding transport workers or prisoners) for projects like roads, schools, or public buildings funded partly by taxpayer money. Noncompliance carries penalties, but the bill does not appropriate new state funds.
HB 257 requires pharmacies, not the state, to provide patients receiving opiate prescriptions with a pamphlet covering addiction risks, safe storage/disposal methods, pain management alternatives, naloxone benefits, and substance use disorder resources. The pamphlets must be written in simple language, available in multiple languages, and periodically reviewed for effectiveness. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new state funding required. It directly affects pharmacies dispensing opiates and patients receiving such prescriptions.
SB 119 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop free, open educational resources (OER) for public schools in kindergarten through grade 8. These resources must align with Utah core standards, reflect state values, be accessible for students with disabilities, and avoid bias, including digital and print materials. The bill directs the State Board to create a centralized platform for these resources, consult with schools and parents during development, and report on progress to the legislature. It does not mandate school districts to adopt the OER, and the bill affects all Utah public schools serving K-8 students.
SCR 3 is a Utah legislative resolution urging the U.S. government not to resume explosive nuclear weapons testing. It directly addresses the federal government, referencing Utah's historical exposure to radioactive fallout from Nevada tests and citing international consensus (187 countries supporting the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) and 75% U.S. public opposition. The resolution emphasizes that the U.S. already maintains nuclear safety through the Stockpile Stewardship Program and that restarting tests would escalate global nuclear arms races. As a symbolic measure with no funding or legal effect, it does not change federal policy but formally expresses Utah's position.
HB 294 requires private employers with 50 or more employees to verify new hires' federal work authorization using a designated system (like E-Verify) starting July 1, 2027. It directly affects larger private employers by mandating this verification process for all new hires, with an exception for H-2A and H-2B visa holders. The bill also specifies criminal penalties for using fraudulent or stolen identification to obtain employment, referencing Utah’s fraud and identity theft laws. This amendment updates an existing law (Utah Code 13-47-201) to lower the employee threshold from 150 to 50 and adjusts the effective date. The bill does not appropriate new funds or create new administrative requirements beyond the verification mandate.
SB 169 ensures all Utah students who meet graduation requirements can participate in commencement ceremonies, including those in online programs (unless safety concerns prevent it). It requires school districts to allow this participation and gives the State Board of Education oversight to monitor local graduation policies. The bill does not change graduation requirements or standards but clarifies that students in online programs must have equal ceremony access. This policy affects all high school students earning diplomas, particularly those in remote learning environments.
SB 115 requires Utah courts to send quarterly reports of specific animal cruelty convictions (including dog fighting, animal torture, or service animal harm) to the Division of Child and Family Services. The reports must include offender details like name, address, and offense type, but explicitly prohibit using these reports to investigate child abuse cases solely based on animal cruelty convictions. This bill creates a reporting mechanism between courts and child welfare agencies for certain animal abuse cases, with no new funding or penalties. It would take effect on May 6, 2026, if passed.
HB 298 requires Utah's State Board of Education to create and maintain a public library of standardized school building designs for elementary, middle, high, and multi-level schools. School districts and charter schools must own and submit publicly funded designs to this library, while also using the library for new construction projects. The bill mandates life-cycle cost analysis, safety compliance, cost transparency, and competitive bidding for design fees, with designs required to meet accessibility standards and adapt to local needs. This directly affects all Utah public school districts, charter schools, and architects/engineering firms working on school construction projects.
HB 334 creates the Legislative Education Support and Professional Development Commission to study gaps in educator support systems. The commission will examine issues like communication between schools and policymakers, professional development opportunities, teacher liability insurance models, and recognition programs, with a focus on educators not covered by professional organizations. It will hold its first meeting before October 1, 2026, and submit recommendations to the Education Interim Committee. The bill does not change existing laws or allocate funding, as it establishes a study body to inform future policy decisions.
SB 177 requires businesses using algorithmic pricing (where prices change based on a consumer's personal data) to include a specific disclaimer when setting or displaying those prices. It directly affects suppliers - such as retailers or service providers - that regularly use algorithms to adjust prices for goods or services. The bill defines "algorithmic pricing" and makes it a deceptive practice to fail to provide the required disclaimer, as outlined in amended Utah Code Sections 13-11-3 and 13-11-4. This policy change mandates clear disclosure to consumers about algorithm-driven pricing without introducing new funding or broad regulatory changes.
SB 137 amends Utah's Homeless Services Board by requiring two new members with health care expertise: one appointed by University of Utah Health and one by Utah's largest non-profit hospital system with multiple hospitals. This changes the board's composition to ensure direct representation from health care providers specializing in physical or mental health. The bill makes no new services or funding changes - it only adjusts membership requirements. The board's existing structure and responsibilities remain unchanged.
