This bill directs Utah's Public Employees' Benefit Insurance Program (PEHP) to create a new "Weight Management and Obesity Pilot Program" starting in 2026. It combines PEHP's existing bariatric surgery pilot with an alternative option for covered state employees to receive GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic) instead of surgery, while staying within the existing $1.05 million annual budget. Key provisions include requiring 50% member cost-sharing, capping monthly pharmacy expenses at $300, limiting coverage to 24 months, and applying the same health coaching requirements to both options. The program allows eligible members (with BMI over 40 or 35+ with health conditions) to choose once between surgery or GLP-1 treatment, with annual reports to lawmakers.
SB 150 creates a formal process for reviewing whether healthcare practitioners (like nurses or therapists) should be allowed to use new technologies in their practice. It requires Utah's Office of Professional Licensure Review to conduct these "scope of practice reviews" when requested by legislators, healthcare employers, or professional groups. The office must convene advisory groups including affected practitioners, assess if the technology improves care access, outcomes, or costs, and then submit a report to the Business and Labor Committee. The bill does not change current practice standards but establishes a structured method for evaluating potential expansions to healthcare occupations' scope.
This bill directs Utah's state health plan (PEHP) to make specific changes to its drug coverage starting in 2027. It requires PEHP to include at least one non-opioid pain medication alternative for every opioid drug in its formulary (drug list), and prohibits using cost-sharing, prior authorization, or other extra steps to discourage patients from choosing these alternatives. The resolution aims to address coverage gaps that may lead patients toward opioids instead of safer options. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a law, and applies directly to PEHP's coverage policies.)
SB 83 amends Utah's controlled substance scheduling laws to automatically align state schedules with federal changes. Specifically, it requires Utah to automatically reschedule pharmaceutical compositions of substances previously classified as Schedule I under federal law if the federal government reschedules them. This affects pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers who handle these substances, as it eliminates the need for separate state legislative action when federal scheduling changes. The bill does not add new substances to schedules or appropriate funds, focusing solely on streamlining the rescheduling process.
HB 339 requires the University of Utah Health to study whether a street medicine program could operate in Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties by 2027. It directs Utah's Department of Health to develop guidelines for street medicine providers by July 2026, covering Medicaid coverage and community resources. The bill defines "street medicine" as healthcare provided outside clinics to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, such as those sleeping in vehicles, parks, or encampments. These guidelines and the feasibility study aim to create a framework for this type of care, with no new funding allocated.
SCR 6 is a non-binding resolution encouraging Utah's medical community to improve awareness, education, and diagnosis of POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) in children and adolescents, and urging insurers to cover diagnosis and treatment gaps. It highlights that 77% of POTS patients are initially misdiagnosed, Utah ranks 49th in primary care access, and POTS affects an estimated 3 million U.S. patients, often leading to disability. The resolution does not create new laws or appropriate funds but calls for systemic changes to address barriers in pediatric autonomic disorder care. It specifically targets pediatric patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies without mandating action.
HB 329 increases state employee paid leave for childbirth, adoption, and foster care. It extends postpartum recovery leave from 3 to 9 weeks and adds 9 weeks of paid leave for adopting children under six, plus 3 weeks for fostering children under six. School districts (LEAs) can apply for reimbursement through a new program if they implement similar paid leave policies for their employees, with $3 million appropriated for fiscal year 2027. The bill also updates the Breastfeeding Protection Act to include breast pump use and requires the Department of Human Resource Management to establish rules for administering these leave provisions.
SB 161 amends Utah's guardianship laws to clarify rights for individuals alleged to be incapacitated and update procedures for court-appointed health care assessments. The bill ensures that Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rights are preserved and sets new standards for health care providers conducting assessments, including requiring their reports to be filed with the court. It also prohibits health care providers from interviewing the person seeking guardianship or including their opinions in assessment reports. These changes apply to guardianships granted on or after May 7, 2025.
SB 127 requires all Utah hospital emergency departments to implement specific pediatric care standards. It mandates policies for pediatric triage, dosing, equipment use, and annual staff training with clinical simulations. Each ER must appoint a pediatric care coordinator (a licensed physician, PA, or nurse) and conduct annual readiness assessments using the National Pediatric Readiness Project framework, reporting results to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. The bureau will collect data and establish minimum safety rules for pediatric care in ERs, with $278,000 reallocated from existing state funds for implementation. The bill directly affects all general acute hospital emergency departments across Utah.
SB 311 requires the Huntsman Mental Health Institute to develop a multilingual SafeUT software application (including Spanish) to support a 24/7 crisis line for school safety. The SafeUT Crisis Line enables anonymous reporting of incidents like bullying, violence, or abuse in schools, while providing crisis intervention for emotional distress. The bill establishes a commission with representatives from state agencies, education, and the public to oversee the program. The application will be accessible to students, parents, and school staff to report concerns and access support, with no funding appropriated and effective May 6, 2026.
