Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 175: Health Insurance Revisions

SB 175 updates Utah's health insurance requirements for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) coverage. It requires health benefit plans to cover ASD treatment - including applied behavior analysis - and expands the list of qualified providers (like psychologists and social workers) eligible for reimbursement for diagnosis and treatment. The bill also removes outdated language about preexisting conditions and clarifies definitions for ASD diagnosis and treatment under Utah law. These changes directly affect health insurance plans sold in Utah's individual and large group markets, ensuring coverage for children aged 2-10 years with ASD. The law amends specific Utah Code sections (26B-3-904 and 31A-22-642) without appropriating new funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates ASD treatment coverage (including ABA) and expands provider eligibility under health insurance, directly advancing patient access to mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 343: Nursing Care Facility Program Amendments

HB 343 amends Utah's Medicaid certification rules for nursing care facilities, primarily affecting facilities seeking to renew or transfer certification when relocating or renovating. The key change allows facilities with a previously approved two-year extension for relocation to request a longer four-year extension under specific circumstances, such as emergencies or documented need. It also clarifies requirements for maintaining certification during facility transitions, including written assurances to avoid disputes over facility ownership. The bill makes technical updates to existing code but does not appropriate new funds or change bed capacity rules without director approval. This streamlines certification continuity for facilities relocating within counties or within five miles of their original site.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables longer Medicaid certification extensions for nursing facilities during relocations/renovations, ensuring continued service access and compliance with healthcare program requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 158: Recreational Therapy Program Amendments

SB 158 expands Medicaid reimbursement eligibility to include licensed residential support programs accredited by the American Camp Association, directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries receiving recreational therapy services in these facilities. The bill adds this program type to the existing list of covered settings (like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities) where qualified enrollees - those enrolled in Medicaid and referred by a mental health therapist - can access reimbursed services. It authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to seek necessary federal waivers to implement this change, with no new state funding required. The policy takes effect May 6, 2026, and focuses solely on expanding coverage eligibility without altering service criteria or beneficiary requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid reimbursement eligibility for recreational therapy services, increasing access to covered healthcare under Medicaid program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 380: Hospital Workplace Violence Reporting Requirements

HB 380 requires Utah hospitals to establish systems for tracking and reporting workplace violence incidents involving staff. Hospitals must record details like incident timing, victim job roles, perpetrator type (patient, visitor, or employee), and responses; prohibit retaliation against reporters; and submit quarterly data to medical/nursing leadership by November 2026. They must also maintain records for two years and provide annual reports to the state department. The bill also delays repealing enhanced criminal penalties for violence against health facility employees until 2032.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to track/report workplace violence against staff, enhancing safety for healthcare workers (a core healthcare workforce protection measure).90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates hospitals to track workplace violence, prohibit retaliation against reporters, and improve safety reporting - directly advancing worker safety protections in Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 383: Department of Health and Human Services Amendments

HB 383 amends Utah's Health and Human Services code to clarify operational procedures within the department. It removes rulemaking authority from the Primary Care Grant Committee, clarifies membership and independence for the Compassionate Use Board and Health Workforce Advisory Council, and updates rules for Medicaid dental benefits and disability service funding transitions. The bill also specifies that the department may establish rules for congregate care ombudsman services and clarifies hospital transfer procedures for individuals in correctional custody. These changes affect department staff, advisory boards, healthcare providers, and service recipients, but the bill contains no new funding or significant policy shifts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates Medicaid dental benefits and disability funding rules, clarifying procedures to maintain service access without defunding85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 205: Substance Use Intervention Amendments

HB 205 creates new pathways for substance use treatment within Utah's criminal justice system. It allows county jails to establish recovery housing pods for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders, requiring approval by local substance abuse authorities and structured treatment programs. The bill also restricts syringe exchange programs to only distributing syringes (not other drug paraphernalia) and prohibits exchanges in public parks. Additionally, it authorizes courts to implement structured treatment programs for drug offenses and issue geographic "off-limits" orders for individuals charged with drug crimes. These changes primarily affect jails, local health authorities, and courts managing drug-related cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates recovery housing pods and treatment programs within jails to address substance use disorders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates treatment pathways in jails, requires structured programs, aligns with healthcare services for substance use disorders92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 402: EMS Controlled Substance Licensing Amendments

HB 402 creates a new state license specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) agencies to legally handle controlled substances (like naloxone or epinephrine) during emergencies. It requires EMS agencies to obtain this license, mandates record-keeping and storage rules, and authorizes the Division of Professional Licensing to enforce standards, deny/suspend licenses for violations, and collect fees. The bill directly affects all Utah EMS agencies currently distributing controlled substances, ensuring they operate under unified state regulations instead of relying solely on federal rules. Key provisions include requiring medical directors to issue standing orders for substance administration and setting clear procedures for license management and inspections.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables EMS agencies to legally administer controlled substances (e.g., naloxone) during emergencies, improving emergency healthcare access and safety standards for patients.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 174: Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments

HB 174 prohibits health care providers in Utah from administering cross-sex hormones or puberty blockers to minors after January 28, 2027, unless the minor was diagnosed with gender dysphoria before January 28, 2023. The bill amends Utah Code Section 58-1-603.1 to establish this ban, directly affecting minors seeking these treatments who do not meet the pre-2023 diagnosis requirement. It repeals a prior requirement for medical evidence reviews (Section 26B-1-239) and takes effect on May 6, 2026. The law applies to all minors under Utah's definition, with violations classified as unprofessional conduct for providers.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts access to gender-affirming medical treatments (hormones/puberty blockers) for minors, directly limiting healthcare options under specific conditions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 222: Right to Try Amendments

SB 222 amends Utah's "Right to Try" law to expand access to investigational drugs. It removes the requirement that patients have a terminal illness, instead allowing individuals with serious conditions that pose significant risks compared to experimental treatments and limited conventional options to qualify. The bill updates definitions to clarify "eligible illness" and expands permissible medicinal dosage forms (e.g., adding transdermal and sublingual options). This change directly affects patients seeking experimental treatments who previously faced eligibility barriers due to non-terminal diagnoses. The law takes effect May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to investigational drugs by removing terminal illness requirement, improving patient access for serious conditions with limited options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 170: Vitamin K Amendments

SB 170 requires healthcare providers and unlicensed midwives to administer vitamin K to newborn infants within 24 hours of birth. Parents may decline this administration by signing a form acknowledging the risks of not receiving vitamin K, which must be included in the infant's medical record. The bill defines key terms like "health care provider" and "unlicensed direct-entry midwife" and applies to all newborns in Utah. This directly affects newborns, their caregivers, and healthcare providers during delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates vitamin K administration for newborns to prevent hemorrhagic disease, a standard preventive health measure protecting infant health and aligning with medical best practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare