Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 45: Kratom Adjustments

SB 45 repeals Utah's 2019 Kratom Consumer Protection Act and classifies alkaloids found in kratom as Schedule I controlled substances under state law. This change directly affects kratom users and businesses in Utah, removing previous regulatory protections and making kratom possession or sale illegal under state law. The bill amends Utah's controlled substances code to include kratom alkaloids in Schedule I, which prohibits use due to no accepted medical purpose and high abuse potential. This policy shift reverses prior regulations that allowed regulated sale and use of kratom products.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareClassifies kratom alkaloids as Schedule I controlled substances, restricting access to a substance sometimes used for health purposes, under Health and Human Services jurisdiction.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 174: Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments

SB 174 allows health care providers, institutions, and payers in Utah to refuse participation in certain medical services (like pregnancy termination disposal) based on religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. It requires providers who refuse such services to notify their institution and prohibits retaliation, discrimination, or adverse actions against them for exercising this right. The bill also shields these individuals from civil, criminal, or administrative liability and mandates health care payers to disclose services they won’t cover due to conscience objections. It defines key terms like "conscience" and "adverse action" to clarify protections and enforcement mechanisms. The bill makes no changes to funding and applies to all covered health care entities under Utah law.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareAllows refusal of abortion services, restricting patient access to care and opposing healthcare access expansion per bill's refusal provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 471: Social Services Amendments

HB 471 amends Utah's Medicaid and SNAP programs to implement work requirements for certain adults (ages 19-64, not pregnant or disabled), stricter verification for income, residency, and citizenship, and new citizenship eligibility rules. It requires documented proof (not self-attestation) for enrollment and annual redeterminations, and mandates hospitals to collect immigration status during applications. The bill directly affects Medicaid applicants and recipients who do not qualify for existing exemptions, beginning October 1, 2026, for citizenship rules and January 1, 2027, for work requirements. It also requires annual reports on compliance rates and exemptions to state legislators.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareImposes work requirements and stricter verification on Medicaid, restricting access to healthcare coverage for eligible adults.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill imposes strict citizenship verification, documented proof requirements, and mandates immigration status collection for Medicaid/SNAP access, directly restricting immigrant access to state services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 170: Vitamin K Amendments

SB 170 requires healthcare providers and unlicensed midwives to administer vitamin K to newborn infants within 24 hours of birth. Parents may decline this administration by signing a form acknowledging the risks of not receiving vitamin K, which must be included in the infant's medical record. The bill defines key terms like "health care provider" and "unlicensed direct-entry midwife" and applies to all newborns in Utah. This directly affects newborns, their caregivers, and healthcare providers during delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates vitamin K administration for newborns to prevent hemorrhagic disease, a standard preventive health measure protecting infant health and aligning with medical best practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 285: Uninsured Children Dental Care Amendments

SB 285 creates a new "Uninsured Children Dental Care Restricted Account" within Utah's General Fund and appropriates $5 million for fiscal year 2027 to fund dental care for uninsured children. The bill directs the University of Utah School of Dentistry's Oral Health Assistance Program to provide these services across all counties. Funds are nonlapsing for FY2027-28, with excess amounts over $200,000 lapsing to the General Fund starting FY2028-29. This bill directly affects uninsured children in Utah by expanding access to dental care through a dedicated funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M from General Fund for uninsured children's dental care, directly increasing state spending on public health services per budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $5M for dental care services for uninsured children, directly expanding access to health services and funding a healthcare program.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 137: Homeless Services Board Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds healthcare expertise to homeless services board, ensuring health provider input on services impacting health outcomes per bill's explicit membership requirement.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill amends homeless services board to include health care expertise, strengthening governance for homelessness (a core housing policy area) without new funding or services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 224: Vital Records Access Amendments

SB 224 amends Utah's vital records access law to allow a designated liaison for homeless youth or children (as defined under the federal McKinney-Vento Act) to obtain a minor's vital records on their behalf. This change adds homeless youth liaisons to the list of individuals permitted to access vital records, alongside immediate family members, guardians, and designated legal representatives. The bill directly affects homeless youth and children without stable housing, enabling their school or social service liaisons to help them access critical documents like birth certificates. The amendment does not alter existing rules about public access to records after specific time periods (e.g., 100 years for birth records) or other access categories.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes barrier to healthcare access by allowing liaisons to obtain vital records for homeless youth, enabling enrollment in health services and insurance per 'improves patient access' indicator.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly addresses homelessness by enabling liaisons for homeless youth to access vital records, aligning with McKinney-Vento Act and housing-related homelessness indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 24: Health Care Providers Immunity Amendments

SB 24 repeals multiple healthcare-related laws and licensing acts in Utah by setting specific effective dates for their termination. Key provisions include repealing the Health Care Providers Immunity from Liability Act (effective July 1, 2036), massage therapy licensing laws (2029-2034), behavioral health treatment regulations (2027), and opioid supply restrictions (2032), among others. These changes directly affect healthcare providers, clinics, and licensed professionals operating under the repealed statutes. The bill takes effect May 6, 2026, with all repealed provisions ceasing to apply on their respective dates. No new funding is appropriated, and the changes eliminate existing legal protections or requirements for covered healthcare services.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals immunity protections, licensing requirements, and opioid restrictions, weakening regulatory safeguards for healthcare providers and services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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