SB 314 requires Utah's Division of Population Health to create public education materials and outreach programs about sleep disorders, directly affecting Utah residents, healthcare providers, and schools. The bill mandates coverage of specific conditions like sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and circadian disorders, with goals to increase awareness, promote early diagnosis, reduce stigma, and address safety risks like drowsy driving. The division may partner with health organizations, insurers, school districts, and transportation agencies to distribute materials. No new funding is allocated, and the law takes effect in May 2026. This focuses on public health education, not treatment or regulation.
SB 311 requires the Huntsman Mental Health Institute to develop a multilingual SafeUT software application (including Spanish) to support a 24/7 crisis line for school safety. The SafeUT Crisis Line enables anonymous reporting of incidents like bullying, violence, or abuse in schools, while providing crisis intervention for emotional distress. The bill establishes a commission with representatives from state agencies, education, and the public to oversee the program. The application will be accessible to students, parents, and school staff to report concerns and access support, with no funding appropriated and effective May 6, 2026.
SB 305 modifies how Utah calculates Medicaid hospital provider assessments and integrates quality incentive arrangements into Medicaid accountable care organization payment rates. It directly affects Utah hospitals serving Medicaid patients by requiring them to meet specific quality standards to qualify for additional payments. Key provisions include using funds from the Hospital Provider Assessment Expendable Revenue Fund to support quality strategies (capping annual spending at $211,300) and monitoring how accountable care organizations distribute funds to hospitals (capping annual spending at $200,000). The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and updates existing Medicaid payment structures without appropriating new state funds.
SB 319 requires Utah health insurance companies to increase transparency around preauthorization processes. It mandates insurers to post detailed preauthorization requirements and statistics on their websites, disclose if they use artificial intelligence in reviews, and make decisions within seven days. The bill also sets minimum validity periods for authorizations covering chronic or long-term care conditions and requires independent medical judgment for denials. These changes directly affect insurers, healthcare providers submitting requests, and patients seeking covered services.
SB 244 requires all Utah public schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) by the 2026-2027 school year, directly affecting every school within a local education agency (LEA). The bill mandates that CERPs include evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care protocols, proper placement and maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and training for staff in CPR and AED use. It establishes a $200,000 grant program prioritizing high-needs schools (those with Title I status or over 50% free/reduced lunch students) to cover AED purchases, maintenance, and staff training. The State Board of Education will oversee implementation and set rules for compliance, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.
HB 590 ensures children transitioning out of foster care in Utah can continue seeing their existing mental health therapist without losing coverage. It requires insurers to offer special agreements for these children (called "covered children") to access out-of-network therapists who provided care while they were in foster care, with the same cost-sharing as in-network providers. The Division of Child and Family Services must also coordinate with therapists when children enter or leave foster care to maintain treatment continuity. This applies specifically to children receiving outpatient mental health services, excluding those in residential or higher-level care facilities.
SB 73 requires online platforms providing content deemed harmful to minors to implement age verification systems. It imposes an excise tax on these platforms, with revenues funding mental health programs and enforcement through the Division of Consumer Protection. The bill creates two dedicated accounts for these funds and grants the Division authority to investigate violations, impose fines, and establish verification standards. Platforms failing to comply face civil penalties, while approved verification methods receive a safe harbor from liability.
HB 379 exempts licensed child care providers in Utah from standard food service establishment regulations. Instead, it authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to create specific food safety and sanitation rules for these providers, based on food volume and preparation type - not the number of children served. The bill directly affects licensed child care facilities operating under Utah’s child care licensing system, replacing general food safety requirements with tailored standards. It makes technical changes to relevant Utah Code sections without appropriating new funds.
HB 321 establishes that Utah's Department of Health and Human Services must pay University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics the standard Medicaid base rate (not higher rates) for inmate medical care when no contract exists, creating a savings mechanism. It requires the department to deposit 50% of these savings into a new "Inmate Medical Treatment Restricted Account" for correctional health services, while the other 50% returns to the General Fund. The bill mandates annual reports to legislative committees detailing the savings calculations and account balances. This directly affects state departments managing inmate healthcare, hospitals providing services, and incarcerated individuals receiving medical treatment. The policy changes focus on standardizing reimbursement rates and tracking cost savings without altering healthcare delivery.
HB 351 requires Utah public schools to follow up with parents within 30 days if a student fails a vision screening, confirming they received results and offering help finding care. It affects students aged 3-16 in Utah public schools, their parents, and school staff conducting screenings. The bill establishes a two-tier screening system (basic "tier one" and more detailed "tier two"), mandates training for school nurses and volunteers, and creates standardized forms to ensure screenings aren't confused with full eye exams. Schools must also provide resources for follow-up care and prevent volunteers from promoting businesses during screenings. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with no new funding required.
