HB 301 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Drug Recodification

HB 301 "Drug Recodification" is a procedural bill that reorganizes Utah's existing drug laws by moving certain criminal drug offenses from Title 58 (Occupations and Professions) into Title 76 (Utah Criminal Code). It updates cross-references across multiple statutes and adds coordination clauses to align with related legislation, such as S.B. 117 on licensing. The bill makes technical changes to improve the structure of drug-related provisions without creating new penalties or appropriating funds. This reorganization affects how Utah's legal code references drug offenses but does not change the underlying criminal penalties or directly impact individuals.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Signed Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #1 → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 24, 2026

MODERATE

The bill updates several Utah statutes to modernize definitions, clarify background check procedures for vulnerable populations, and tighten regulations on medical cannabis couriers and alcohol licensing. Key changes include correcting a definition error in the corrections code, expanding background check requirements for child care workers, and adding new grounds for revoking dance hall permits.

Scope change

The scope of background checks for child and vulnerable adult care workers was expanded to include more specific criminal findings and out-of-state registries. The applicability of dance hall permit revocation was extended to include violations occurring on adjacent properties.

DEFINITION

Corrected a typo in the definition of 'Cross-sex hormone treatment' in the corrections code to reference the correct statute.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded background check requirements for child and vulnerable adult care workers to include comprehensive reviews of specific criminal convictions, out-of-state registry listings, and juvenile adjudications.

Updated the definition of 'minor' in the liquor code to clarify the age threshold as younger than 18 years old.

Added a new prohibition requiring retail licensees to prevent the sale, distribution, or use of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia on licensed premises.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new grounds for suspending or revoking dance or concert hall permits, including violations occurring on property that immediately adjoins the licensed premises.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes Utah's drug laws by moving criminal offenses from the Occupations and Professions title to the Criminal Code, while simultaneously updating definitions and operational rules across various sectors. Key substantive changes include expanding the definition of 'opiate' to include specific controlled substances, clarifying rules for cannabis product definitions and medical cannabis cards, and updating background check requirements for individuals with direct access to children or vulnerable adults. The bill also modifies nuisance activity criteria for liquor licensees and adjusts age-related language in several sections.

Scope change

The bill significantly changes the scope of drug-related offenses by relocating them from Title 58 to Title 76 (Criminal Code), and expands the scope of background check requirements to include specific categories of applicants seeking direct access to vulnerable populations.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'opiate' in multiple sections to explicitly include specific controlled substances listed in the Utah Controlled Substances Act.

Refined definitions for 'medical cannabis card,' 'medical cannabis patient card,' and 'medical cannabis guardian card' to clarify electronic verification and caregiver designations.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded background check requirements for individuals with direct access to children or vulnerable adults to include comprehensive reviews for specific criminal histories and non-criminal findings.

Added specific signage requirements for retail licensees warning about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and driving under the influence.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified nuisance activity criteria for liquor licensees to include convictions for offenses previously in effect that are substantially similar to controlled substance offenses.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized statutory sections by moving drug-related criminal offenses from Title 58 to Title 76 and updating cross-references throughout the code.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House Feb 19, 2026

How they voted

28–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 29

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic6

6 Yea

100% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

21 Yea 1

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 24, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar [Senate Business and Labor Committee]

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Business and Labor Committee]

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor