Rep. Kristen Chevrier

Maddy summaryHB 327 amends Utah's laws governing automatic license plate readers (LPRs) used by government and law enforcement. It directly affects police departments, state agencies, and other public entities that collect license plate data. The bill replaces outdated rules with new requirements, including mandatory data security measures, limits on how long data can be stored, and restrictions on sharing data with other agencies. It also requires agencies to report how they use LPRs, ensuring transparency in their deployment. The law makes no changes to funding or creates new surveillance powers, focusing solely on standardizing existing LPR data handling practices.

Maddy summaryHB 442 requires manufacturers of menstrual products sold in Utah to list specific chemicals (like lead, cadmium, arsenic, and PFAS) and intentionally added ingredients on product packaging. It directly affects manufacturers of tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, and similar products sold in the state. The Division of Consumer Protection will enforce these labeling rules and create related regulations. This bill increases transparency about ingredients in feminine hygiene products without changing product safety standards or requiring new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 403 requires Utah's Department of Workforce Services to seek a federal waiver by July 1, 2025, to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from being used to purchase soft drinks. The bill directly affects SNAP recipients in Utah and retailers who accept SNAP benefits, as it would restrict purchases of carbonated, sweetened beverages (excluding milk-based drinks or juices over 50% fruit/vegetable content). Key provisions include submitting a detailed waiver request with public health justification, an implementation plan for retailers, and annual reporting on spending patterns and program impacts. If denied, the department must resubmit the waiver annually until approved. The bill does not appropriate funds and takes effect May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 402 prohibits public schools in Utah from selling, donating, offering, or serving food containing nine specific additives (including certain dyes like FD&C Red No. 40 and preservatives like potassium bromate) during school days starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The ban applies to school food service but includes exceptions: parents may provide these foods, teachers may serve them with parental permission, and they may be sold at school events or in vending machines. Charter and district schools with 5,500 or fewer students are exempt. The law takes effect May 7, 2025, and does not appropriate funding.

Maddy summarySB 118 requires public institutions of higher education in Utah to make their meeting facilities available to registered political parties, removing a previous exemption for these buildings. Political parties must request space 30 days in advance (before 5 p.m.) and the cost charged can only cover actual cleaning and requested services. The bill also directs institutions to avoid scheduling conflicts with party meetings on the same evening. It does not apply to convention centers, sports arenas, or other facilities primarily used for events like conferences. The changes take effect May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 517 revises Utah's Post-employment Restrictions Act by defining "mental health provider" and voiding employment agreements that restrict mental health providers from working elsewhere if the employer has a mental health waitlist exceeding two months at the time of signing or termination. This directly affects mental health providers and their employers in Utah, particularly in areas with high demand for services. The law makes such restrictive covenants unenforceable under these waitlist conditions, effective May 7, 2025. The bill also includes minor updates to provisions regarding broadcasting employees but focuses primarily on mental health provider agreements. No new funding is required.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows patients to use their own blood or blood from a directed donor (like a family member) for transfusions during medical care, unless it's unsafe or an emergency. Healthcare facilities cannot block this option, except in cases where the donation would harm the patient or donor, there's insufficient time before a procedure, or emergency care is needed. The bill also shields healthcare providers from liability for injuries related to these patient-provided blood products, unless the provider was grossly negligent.

Maddy summaryHB 468 regulates how law enforcement and other government agencies in Utah use automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems. It defines key terms, restricts ALPR use to authorized purposes like active criminal investigations or locating known vehicles, and prohibits targeting individuals based on First Amendment rights or discriminatory factors. The bill establishes requirements for data security, retention periods, and sharing of captured plate data, while mandating reporting by agencies. It also creates new standards for de-identified "aggregated captured plate data" to protect privacy. This bill directly affects all law enforcement agencies and governmental entities operating ALPR systems in Utah.

Maddy summarySB 309 amends Utah's Title Lending Registration Act by revising the definition of "title loan" to adjust which loans are excluded from that category. This change directly affects title lenders and the types of loans they offer, as it clarifies which loans fall under regulatory requirements. The bill specifically modifies exclusions in the current law - such as those covering purchase money loans or long-term loans - without adding new funding or other provisions. It takes effect on May 7, 2025.