Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 552: Behavioral Health Amendments

HB 552 amends Utah's behavioral health system by shifting administration of the Governor's Suicide Prevention Fund to the Office of Behavioral Health (replacing the governor) and creating a new community-based peer support grant program. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain a database of involuntary commitments, establishes a family outreach specialist role to assist families after suicide or overdose deaths, and restructures advisory committees to better coordinate behavioral health initiatives. The bill appropriates $114.95 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 to support these changes. These provisions directly affect Utah residents accessing behavioral health services, state agencies managing mental health programs, and families impacted by suicide or overdose.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates new peer support grants, shifts suicide prevention funding to improve mental health services, and establishes family outreach roles - directly advancing mental health care access and support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

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

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse

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

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Paid Leave Public Employees

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 205: Substance Use Intervention Amendments

HB 205 creates new pathways for substance use treatment within Utah's criminal justice system. It allows county jails to establish recovery housing pods for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders, requiring approval by local substance abuse authorities and structured treatment programs. The bill also restricts syringe exchange programs to only distributing syringes (not other drug paraphernalia) and prohibits exchanges in public parks. Additionally, it authorizes courts to implement structured treatment programs for drug offenses and issue geographic "off-limits" orders for individuals charged with drug crimes. These changes primarily affect jails, local health authorities, and courts managing drug-related cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates recovery housing pods and treatment programs within jails to address substance use disorders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates treatment pathways in jails, requires structured programs, aligns with healthcare services for substance use disorders92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Professional Licensing

failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 257: Opiate Information Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates pharmacies to provide patient education on opioid risks, safe use, and resources, directly improving patient safety and access to harm reduction information within healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 87: Naloxone Amendments

SB 87 allows healthcare providers and overdose outreach groups to legally administer or dispense **expired naloxone** (up to 24 months past expiration) without fear of legal liability, as long as it’s done in good faith during an overdose emergency. It specifically extends immunity from civil lawsuits or criminal charges for using expired naloxone, clarifies that prescribing/dispensing expired naloxone isn’t unprofessional conduct, and requires providers to educate recipients on its safety, efficacy, and risks. The bill directly affects **licensed healthcare professionals, overdose outreach programs, and individuals at high risk of opioid overdose** (or their family/friends who may assist them). Key provisions include permitting expired naloxone use under standing prescriptions and ensuring providers give clear instructions on overdose response. The law does not change existing rules for non-expired naloxone.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves legal barriers for using expired naloxone in overdose emergencies, improving access to life-saving treatment and protecting providers who act in good faith during opioid crises.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 295: Overdose Amendments

HB 295, the "Overdose Amendments," updates Utah's criminal code to better address overdose situations. It expands the affirmative defense for reporting overdoses to include both the person experiencing the overdose and anyone who stays with them during the event. The bill also creates a new option for courts to dismiss first-time drug offenses if the individual commits to substance abuse treatment, and clarifies that reporting an overdose can be used as a sentencing mitigating factor for both parties involved. These changes aim to reduce criminal penalties for overdose-related incidents while encouraging treatment engagement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands overdose reporting defense, allows treatment diversion for first-time drug offenses, reducing criminal penalties and promoting rehabilitation per bill's sentencing mitigating factor and dismissal provisions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables court dismissal for first-time drug offenses when committing to substance abuse treatment, directly expanding healthcare access for substance use disorders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing Substance Abuse

Track

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 96: Opioid Fatality Review Amendments

SB 96 amends Utah laws to clarify how the Department of Health and Human Services investigates opioid overdose deaths and shares related information. It explicitly states the department can investigate drug overdose fatalities as public health hazards, specifies that treatment records shared with medical examiners must follow federal privacy laws (like 42 U.S.C. § 290dd-2), and allows the department to use its authority to identify prevention and intervention opportunities after deaths under the medical examiner’s jurisdiction. The bill directly affects the Department of Health, medical examiners, healthcare providers (who share treatment records), and public health officials. It makes no new funding changes and updates existing codes without creating new programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies public health investigations of opioid deaths, ensures privacy compliance for data sharing, and enables prevention strategies under public health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse