HB 559: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Amendments - Utah

Amended 2/26/2026 08:02:456 → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill substitutes a version of HB 559 that establishes bereavement practices and training for pregnancy and infant loss, while also updating the list of state commemorative periods. The primary substantive change is the addition of October as 'Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month' to the state's official observances. The bill requires birthing facilities to adopt rules ensuring dignified treatment for those experiencing loss and mandates optional bereavement training for healthcare providers.

Scope change

The bill's scope is expanded by adding a new state-recognized observance month (October) for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness, in addition to the existing requirements for facility bereavement practices and provider training.

REQUIREMENT

Added October as an official state commemorative period designated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

Added requirements for birthing facilities to establish rules ensuring dignified treatment and memory-making opportunities for parents experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.

Added requirements for the Division of Professional Licensing to develop optional bereavement training for healthcare providers working in obstetrics and related settings.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the commemorative periods section was adjusted from May 6, 2026, to February 24, 2026.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was reformatted from a standard legislative draft to a substitute bill format with specific markup indicators.

Amended Excerpts 2/26/2026 08:02:456 → Amended 2/26/2026 08:02:456 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill replaces specific commemorative month designations with a single, flexible framework allowing the Governor to declare commemorative periods annually. It adds new requirements for birthing facilities to establish bereavement practices and mandates professional training for healthcare providers to support families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the legislation by adding new substantive requirements for healthcare facilities and professionals regarding bereavement support, while modifying the commemorative periods section to remove specific months and allow for future declarations by the Governor.

REQUIREMENT

Requires birthing facilities to establish rules for memory-making opportunities, grief counseling, and other supportive practices when a pregnancy or infant loss occurs.

Mandates the development of optional bereavement training for healthcare providers to support patients and families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.

Removes the requirement that the third full week of September be commemorated as Gang Prevention Awareness Week.

DEFINITION

Replaces specific designations for Italian-American Heritage Month and Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month with a general definition of 'commemorative period' and a list of specific days, removing the fixed October observance.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/26/2026 08:02:456 · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was amended to add a new observance, 'Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month,' in November. This addition requires the state to organize support activities for grieving families, raise public awareness, advocate for research to reduce loss, and provide educational resources to families and healthcare providers.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new state-recognized commemorative period focused on pregnancy and infant loss, alongside existing observances like Italian-American Heritage Month and American Indian Heritage Month.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for the state to observe 'Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month' in November, which includes organizing support activities, disseminating information, advocating for research, promoting awareness campaigns, and providing educational materials.

Introduced → Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MINOR

This bill establishes bereavement practices and training for healthcare facilities providing birthing services to support individuals experiencing pregnancy or infant loss. The primary changes involve making the required bereavement training optional for providers and allowing the training to count toward continuing medical education credits, while also adding specific details about memory-making experiences and the perinatal cooling device to the list of required practices.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding mandatory training was narrowed from requiring all relevant professionals to complete the training to allowing them to take it as an option that counts toward continuing education.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the bereavement training requirement from mandatory to optional for licensed health care professionals, while allowing the training to apply to continuing medical education credit requirements.

Added specific details to the list of required bereavement practices, including memory-making experiences (photos, molds, keepsakes) when practicable and access to a perinatal cooling device.

Updated the Senate Sponsor name from 'LONG TITLE' to 'Luz Escamilla'.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Amendments

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