Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 379: Child Care Provider Food Preparation Amendments

HB 379 exempts licensed child care providers in Utah from standard food service establishment regulations. Instead, it authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to create specific food safety and sanitation rules for these providers, based on food volume and preparation type - not the number of children served. The bill directly affects licensed child care facilities operating under Utah’s child care licensing system, replacing general food safety requirements with tailored standards. It makes technical changes to relevant Utah Code sections without appropriating new funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates tailored food safety rules for child care under Health Department oversight, directly protecting public health by preventing foodborne illness in children.90% confidence

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 442: Feminine Hygiene Products Amendments

HB 442 requires manufacturers of menstrual products sold in Utah to list specific chemicals (like lead, cadmium, arsenic, and PFAS) and intentionally added ingredients on product packaging. It directly affects manufacturers of tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, and similar products sold in the state. The Division of Consumer Protection will enforce these labeling rules and create related regulations. This bill increases transparency about ingredients in feminine hygiene products without changing product safety standards or requiring new funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires labeling of harmful chemicals in menstrual products to enhance consumer health transparency and safety, aligning with public health protections in healthcare policy.90% confidence

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 329: State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3 million for LEA reimbursement program, directly funding a new state budget line item to support paid leave policies for employees.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $3M for school districts to implement paid leave for staff, directly supporting educators through funding and retention benefits, aligning with education support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases paid maternity/foster care leave and funds reimbursement, improving access to postpartum health services and aligning with breastfeeding protections.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands state employee paid leave benefits (postpartum, adoption, foster care), adds new protections, and funds LEA reimbursement programs, directly advancing worker benefits and protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Paid Leave Public Employees

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 224: Vital Records Access Amendments

SB 224 amends Utah's vital records access law to allow a designated liaison for homeless youth or children (as defined under the federal McKinney-Vento Act) to obtain a minor's vital records on their behalf. This change adds homeless youth liaisons to the list of individuals permitted to access vital records, alongside immediate family members, guardians, and designated legal representatives. The bill directly affects homeless youth and children without stable housing, enabling their school or social service liaisons to help them access critical documents like birth certificates. The amendment does not alter existing rules about public access to records after specific time periods (e.g., 100 years for birth records) or other access categories.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes barrier to healthcare access by allowing liaisons to obtain vital records for homeless youth, enabling enrollment in health services and insurance per 'improves patient access' indicator.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly addresses homelessness by enabling liaisons for homeless youth to access vital records, aligning with McKinney-Vento Act and housing-related homelessness indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 14: Behavior Analyst Licensing Amendments

HB 14 extends the expiration date for Utah's Behavior Analyst Licensing Act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2036. This change ensures the law governing behavior analyst licensure remains in effect for an additional decade, preventing its automatic repeal. The bill includes minor technical adjustments to the relevant code but does not alter licensing requirements for behavior analysts. This extension directly affects behavior analysts and the state's regulatory process for their professional licensing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends licensing for behavior analysts (mental health professionals), ensuring continuity of regulated healthcare services without altering requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 117: Organ Donation Amendments

HB 117 requires Utah residents to receive organ donation registration information during three key state interactions: when using the Division of Wildlife Resources website, during initial healthcare facility visits, and in individual income tax forms or instructions. It also mandates the Department of Health to form a coalition creating a statewide communication plan for life-saving programs through state channels. The bill adds specific requirements for healthcare facilities to ask patients about donation status and provides links to the online donor registry on tax materials and state websites. These changes aim to increase registration rates by making information accessible at common state service touchpoints, with no new funding required.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates organ donation registration during healthcare visits and creates statewide communication plan for life-saving programs, advancing public health initiatives within healthcare services.90% confidence

failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 202: Acupuncturist Licensing Amendments

HB 202 amends Utah's Acupuncture Licensing Act to create a new pathway for becoming a licensed acupuncturist. It allows applicants to either provide current NCCAOM certification or complete a specific 2-year curriculum meeting detailed hour requirements (including 450 hours of theory, 500 clinical hours, and 225 biomedical hours). The bill directly affects individuals seeking acupuncture licensure in Utah by offering an alternative to the existing exam-based process. These changes take effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates alternative licensing pathway for acupuncturists, increasing access to healthcare services by expanding provider options within healthcare professionals category.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 316: Patient Nondisclosure Clauses

HB 316 prevents health care providers from using nondisclosure clauses in contracts to stop patients from reporting misconduct to Utah's Division of Professional Licensing. The bill requires providers to give patients a specific model notice (created by the division) before signing such contracts, explaining patients' rights to report unprofessional or unlawful conduct. This notice must detail what constitutes misconduct, the reporting process, and include a reference to relevant laws. The law takes effect May 6, 2026, making nondisclosure clauses unenforceable after June 1, 2025, unless the required notice was provided. It directly affects patients seeking care and health care providers using such contractual clauses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents providers from silencing patients about misconduct via contracts, requiring clear notice of reporting rights - protects patient rights in healthcare.95% confidence

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 277: Traditional Healing Amendments

HB 277 exempts traditional healing providers from state licensing requirements when offering services defined under Utah law and developed in consultation with Utah Native American tribes and indigenous communities. The bill amends Utah’s licensing code to explicitly include traditional healing as a licensed exemption under Section 58-1-307, clarifying that providers practicing traditional healing services do not need a state license. It makes no changes to funding or other requirements, focusing solely on removing licensing barriers for these practitioners. This directly affects traditional healing providers operating within Utah’s defined framework. The exemption applies only to services conducted in accordance with tribal consultations and existing legal definitions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for traditional healers, improving access to culturally specific healthcare services without altering funding or coverage.95% confidence

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HCR 8: Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP to Establish the Weight Management and Obesity Pilot Program

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands healthcare access by adding GLP-1 drug coverage as an alternative to bariatric surgery within existing budget, improving treatment options for state employees under PEHP.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs