Maddy summaryHB 408 requires social media platforms to let users transfer portions of their personal data - including connections, content, and interactions - to other platforms within five business days. It mandates real-time data sharing when users switch services, requires explicit user consent before sharing comments or interactions during transfers, and protects platforms from penalties for temporary technical issues if they make good-faith fixes. The bill clarifies that platforms must provide data in a portable, usable format but exempts them from sharing internal algorithms, derived data, or proprietary formats that lack industry standards. This directly affects Utah social media users and platforms operating in the state, focusing on user control over their digital data.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 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.
Maddy summarySB 267 requires Utah's State Board of Education to study how software and digital services are used in public schools, focusing on educational effectiveness, design, and data practices. The bill mandates the board to review best practices, publish guidance for responsible software use, and report findings to the Education Interim Committee upon request. It directly affects public schools, educators, and software providers by establishing standards for evaluating educational technology. The bill defines key terms like "academically effective" software but does not fund new programs or change current classroom practices. (4 sentences)
Maddy summarySB 108 prevents Utah cities and counties from creating rules for online marketplaces like Etsy or Airbnb. It specifically blocks local governments from regulating how these platforms operate or demanding user data without a court order. The law allows exceptions for short-term rental rules and for regulating people who use the platforms, not the platforms themselves.
Maddy summaryHB 108 modifies how Utah's Department of Health and Human Services manages federal benefits (like Social Security or veterans' payments) for minors in state custody. It reduces the percentage of these benefits the department can use for maintenance costs (from 75% to 25%) and requires the department to establish separate accounts for each minor, prioritizing ABLE accounts when possible. The bill mandates annual financial statements to minors and guardians, annual reports to the legislature detailing benefit usage, and annual financial literacy training upon custody termination. It directly affects minors in foster care or state custody who receive federal benefits, ensuring their funds are managed responsibly while preserving eligibility for other benefits.
Maddy summaryHB 206 prohibits advertising electronic cigarettes and nicotine products on billboards, streetcars, buses, and other public display locations in Utah. It directly affects businesses that sell these products by restricting where they can advertise their goods. The bill allows business signage at physical stores and print media ads in newspapers or magazines. The law takes effect on May 6, 2026, and does not appropriate funds.
Maddy summaryHB 286, the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments, requires developers of large "frontier AI models" (those trained with massive computing power and used by over 1 million people monthly, especially in chatbots interacting with minors) to create and publish public safety and child protection plans. It mandates developers to summarize risk assessments for these models, report serious safety incidents to Utah's Office of AI Policy, and prohibits false claims about risks. The bill establishes whistleblower protections for employees reporting safety concerns and creates a dedicated fund to enforce these requirements. These changes directly affect major AI developers, focusing on transparency around risks of serious harm to people or property.
Maddy summaryHB 438, the AI Companion Chatbot Safety Act, regulates companies that create AI chatbots designed for emotional engagement. It requires suppliers to implement safety protocols for identifying risks, conduct independent safety evaluations, and publicly report on safety measures and user engagement. The bill specifically prohibits sharing minors' data, sending unsolicited messages to encourage use, exposing minors to harmful content, or hiding that the chatbot is AI (mandating clear disclosure). It grants enforcement authority to Utah's Division of Consumer Protection and establishes fines for violations. The law directly affects AI chatbot developers and users, particularly minors, by setting concrete safety and transparency standards.
Maddy summaryHB 418, the Utah Digital Choice Act, requires social media companies operating in Utah to implement tools that let users move their data - including connections, content, and interactions (called a "social graph") - between platforms. It defines key terms, mandates data interoperability, and grants Utah's Division of Consumer Protection enforcement authority to ensure compliance. The law applies specifically to social media services (excluding email or cloud storage) and includes civil penalties for noncompliance. It aims to give users greater control over their digital information without requiring companies to share private messages or content.
Maddy summaryHB 302 ensures minors in Utah’s state custody (like foster care) maintain Medicaid eligibility while receiving federal benefits. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for Medicaid waivers by 2026, evaluate each minor’s federal benefit eligibility within 60 days of placement, and apply for benefits on their behalf. The department must manage federal benefit funds in separate accounts, use ABLE accounts when possible, spend up to 75% on maintenance costs, and provide annual financial literacy training. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the legislature on benefits managed for these minors.