Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 121: Medical Cannabis Program Amendments

SB 121 amends Utah's medical cannabis program to clarify rules and improve accessibility for patients and providers. Key changes include allowing legal guardians to obtain medical cannabis cards for incapacitated adults, creating a voucher program for patients to access cannabis or devices, and updating transportation and safe storage requirements for deliveries. The bill also streamlines administrative processes, such as revising how providers access patient information and simplifying identification requirements for cardholders. These changes affect medical cannabis patients, licensed providers, and delivery services operating under Utah's current program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends medical cannabis program to enhance patient access via guardian provisions, voucher system, and streamlined administrative processes, directly improving healthcare accessibility for patients.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 416: First Responder Health Modifications

HB 416 creates the Firefighter Cancer Benefit Trust Fund to provide financial support for firefighters diagnosed with cancer presumed to be work-related. The bill redirects existing revenue from property and life insurance premiums (specifically 50% of the first $4 million from property insurance tax and 10% of the first $1 million from life insurance tax) to fund this trust, replacing prior allocations. The trust fund, administered by an 11-member board (including firefighters, fire chiefs, medical experts, and officials), will cover benefits for affected firefighters and their families, with assets protected from creditor claims. This bill modifies tax distribution rules without new appropriations, directly affecting Utah firefighters with presumptive cancer diagnoses under existing law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing property/life insurance tax revenue to fund firefighter cancer benefits, aligning with funding essential programs via budget reallocation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides financial support for cancer treatment via a trust fund, advancing healthcare access for firefighters diagnosed with work-related cancer.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates trust fund for firefighter cancer benefits, expanding worker health protections and financial support for work-related illnesses under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 259: Parental Access to Children's Medical Records Amendments

This bill requires Utah healthcare facilities to provide parents or legal guardians full access to minors' electronic medical records, unless exceptions apply (such as a minor's consent for specific treatments, a court order, or if the parent isn't legally authorized under state/federal law). It mandates electronic health record vendors to ensure systems support this access and authorizes the attorney general to enforce compliance with fines up to $10,000 per day. Facilities must also provide paper records free of charge upon request if electronic access is restricted. The law takes effect May 6, 2026, and aligns with federal privacy standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates parental access to minors' medical records, improving caregiver access to health information and aligning with patient rights protections in healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 269: Ambulance Provider Payment Amendments

HB 269 amends Utah's ambulance payment rules to directly affect ambulance providers and health insurers or workers' compensation carriers. It requires the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services to annually adjust base rates based on medical inflation, explicitly includes medication costs in the base rate (previously excluded), and allows providers to collect both base rates and mileage fees. The bill also clarifies that health plans must pay providers directly for covered ambulance services without balance billing for uncovered portions. These changes take effect January 1, 2027, with no new state funding required.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends ambulance payment rules to include medication costs, adjust for inflation, and require direct payment, improving provider compensation and access to emergency services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 572: Behavioral Health, Mental Health, and Social Services Amendments

HB 572 updates Utah's behavioral and mental health systems to improve coordination and support. It requires standardized consent forms for disclosing mental health conditions to providers and law enforcement, mandates jail screening tool transparency, and shifts administration of the suicide prevention fund to a dedicated office. The bill creates a peer support specialist program, establishes a family outreach role for suicide/overdose cases, and amends involuntary commitment procedures. It appropriates $750,000 for implementation in fiscal year 2027, directly affecting justice-involved individuals, mental health providers, and families impacted by behavioral health crises.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill integrates mental health support into criminal justice system via jail screenings, peer specialists, and transparency mandates, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates peer support specialists, family outreach for overdoses, and shifts suicide prevention fund to dedicated office - expands mental health services and coordination.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 599: Social Services Funding Amendments

HB 599 amends Utah's social services funding to redirect interest earned from the Medicaid ACA Fund into the General Fund, freeing up $759,700 annually for 2026-2027. It adds immunosuppressive drugs to Medicaid's preferred drug list and transitions the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) into Medicaid, with dental services for CHIP beneficiaries to be provided through the University of Utah School of Dentistry. The bill also allocates funds from electronic cigarette taxes to support substance use treatment and prevention services. These changes directly affect Medicaid beneficiaries, CHIP enrollees (now covered under Medicaid), and individuals seeking substance use treatment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects Medicaid ACA Fund interest to General Fund, freeing $759k annually for fiscal management and allocates e-cig tax revenue.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds immunosuppressive drugs to Medicaid, transitions CHIP to Medicaid with dental services, and allocates new funds - expands coverage and access without defunding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 389: Cannabis Amendments

HB 389 amends Utah's medical cannabis laws to simplify licensing for processors, allowing them to make cannabinoid (hemp) products without an extra license. It creates a new fee on medical cannabis purchases for enforcement, moves oversight of the medical cannabis program to the Department of Agriculture and Food, and allows low-THC products (under 0.3% THC) to be sold by pharmacies. The bill also enables patients to get medical cannabis cards via virtual doctor visits and renames the licensing board to the Specialized Product Authority Licensing Board. These changes directly affect medical cannabis processors, pharmacies, patients, and state agencies managing the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands patient access via virtual appointments and pharmacy sales of low-THC products, improving healthcare service availability for medical cannabis patients.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 98: Substance Use Rehabilitation Amendments

SB 98 creates a voluntary certification program for employers to become "recovery ready workplaces," administered by Utah's Department of Health and Human Services. Employers seeking certification must implement specific practices, including preventing workplace factors that contribute to substance use disorders, reducing stigma, providing employee education, making naloxone (an opiate antagonist) available, and supporting employees accessing treatment. The bill authorizes the department to establish application criteria and an application process, with potential funding from the Electronic Cigarette Substance and Nicotine Product Proceeds Restricted Account. This program directly affects employers who choose to participate, aiming to improve workplace support for employees with substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates employer practices supporting substance use treatment access, naloxone availability, and stigma reduction - directly advancing public health and mental health services via workplace programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates naloxone availability and treatment support in workplaces, directly improving employee health safety and reducing stigma per Labor & Employment standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 150: Healthcare Providers Scope of Practice Amendments

SB 150 creates a formal process for reviewing whether healthcare practitioners (like nurses or therapists) should be allowed to use new technologies in their practice. It requires Utah's Office of Professional Licensure Review to conduct these "scope of practice reviews" when requested by legislators, healthcare employers, or professional groups. The office must convene advisory groups including affected practitioners, assess if the technology improves care access, outcomes, or costs, and then submit a report to the Business and Labor Committee. The bill does not change current practice standards but establishes a structured method for evaluating potential expansions to healthcare occupations' scope.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates process to assess new technologies improving care access, outcomes, and costs for healthcare practitioners, aligning with support indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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