First Responder Health Modifications

Mental health resource requirements now apply to all first responders, not just firefighters, and include provisions for their spouses and children.

A new 'Mental Health Resources for First Responders Restricted Account' was created to fund mental health services for small first responder agencies.

Eligibility for the Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Personnel Insurance Program was modified to include specific call-response thresholds and residency requirements.

Effective dates were staggered, with some mental health and EMS provisions taking effect on May 6, 2026, while others take effect on July 1, 2026.

New requirements mandate that first responder agencies designate a mental health liaison and submit annual compliance reports to the Department of Public Safety.

Definitions were updated to include 'first responder,' 'small first responder agency,' and 'designated mental health resources liaison' to support the expanded scope.

New enforcement mechanisms allow the Department of Public Safety to investigate denials of mental health resources and restrict state grant money for non-compliant agencies.

Removed the requirement for the board to study cancer incidence rates and cancer incidence trust award levels as part of its initial duties.

Extended the deadline for the board to submit recommendations to the Executive Appropriations Committee from January 1, 2026, to December 1, 2026.

Added a requirement to transfer $3.7 million in 2027 and $2.7 million in 2028 to the University of Utah for cancer screenings and record-keeping systems.

Modified the revenue transfer schedule so that net insurance tax revenue goes to the cancer trust fund starting in fiscal year 2029, after the initial two years of screening funding.

Added a duty for the trust fund board to coordinate benefits with the workers' compensation system to limit double recovery for firefighters.

Added a requirement for the training program to obtain and utilize a record-keeping system for cancer screenings.

Extended the initial funding period for the cancer screening program to cover fiscal years 2027 and 2028.

Added a definition for 'Program' to refer to the statewide fire and rescue training program operated by Utah Valley University.

Changed the deadline for the board to submit recommendations to the Executive Appropriations Committee from December 1, 2027, to December 1, 2026.

Updated the tax transfer provision to specify that the Division of Finance must transfer 'net revenue' (excluding diverted revenue) to the trust fund.

Modified the duties of the fire and rescue training program to include staffing the new board and providing accounting services for the trust fund.

The effective date of the bill was changed from May 6, 2026, to July 1, 2026, likely to align with the start of the fiscal year or the beginning of the insurance tax collection period.

A new clause was added to Section 5 requiring the Division of Finance to transfer only 'net revenue' into the new trust fund, clarifying that certain costs or offsets should be deducted before the transfer occurs.