Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SCR 5: Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Pain Medication

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.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates non-opioid alternatives in PEHP formulary without barriers, promoting safer pain management and reducing opioid reliance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 83: Controlled Substance Scheduling Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomates federal scheduling alignment, removing barriers for healthcare providers to access rescheduled pharmaceuticals, improving patient access to treatments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 339: Street Medicine Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires study/guidelines for street medicine to expand healthcare access for homeless populations, integrating Medicaid coverage and community resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 270: Healthcare Worker Post-Employment Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareVoids non-compete agreements for healthcare workers, removing barriers to practice and improving access to care for patients.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentVoids non-compete agreements restricting healthcare workers' post-employment mobility, protecting their employment rights and workplace freedom.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SCR 6: Concurrent Resolution Regarding Pediatric Care for Autonomic Disorders

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEncourages improved diagnosis and insurer coverage for POTS, addressing misdiagnosis and access gaps in pediatric care per resolution language.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 329: State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments

HB 329 increases state employee paid leave for childbirth, adoption, and foster care. It extends postpartum recovery leave from 3 to 9 weeks and adds 9 weeks of paid leave for adopting children under six, plus 3 weeks for fostering children under six. School districts (LEAs) can apply for reimbursement through a new program if they implement similar paid leave policies for their employees, with $3 million appropriated for fiscal year 2027. The bill also updates the Breastfeeding Protection Act to include breast pump use and requires the Department of Human Resource Management to establish rules for administering these leave provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3 million for LEA reimbursement program, directly funding a new state budget line item to support paid leave policies for employees.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $3M for school districts to implement paid leave for staff, directly supporting educators through funding and retention benefits, aligning with education support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases paid maternity/foster care leave and funds reimbursement, improving access to postpartum health services and aligning with breastfeeding protections.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands state employee paid leave benefits (postpartum, adoption, foster care), adds new protections, and funds LEA reimbursement programs, directly advancing worker benefits and protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 161: Evaluations in Guardianship Amendments

SB 161 amends Utah's guardianship laws to clarify rights for individuals alleged to be incapacitated and update procedures for court-appointed health care assessments. The bill ensures that Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rights are preserved and sets new standards for health care providers conducting assessments, including requiring their reports to be filed with the court. It also prohibits health care providers from interviewing the person seeking guardianship or including their opinions in assessment reports. These changes apply to guardianships granted on or after May 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePreserves HIPAA rights and sets standards for health care assessments in guardianship cases, protecting patient rights during evaluations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 314: Sleep Disorders Education Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for sleep disorders and creates public education programs to improve diagnosis, awareness, and reduce safety risks like drowsy driving.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill targets drowsy driving safety risks through public education on sleep disorders, directly enhancing transportation safety as per indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 311: Medical Translation Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates school safety crisis line with mental health support for K-12 students, enhancing student safety and access to resources within education context.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health crisis app development, expanding access to mental health services for students through school safety programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 305: Hospital Quality Incentive Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to meet quality standards for additional Medicaid payments, using dedicated funds to incentivize quality care improvements and patient outcomes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare