Rep. Katy Hall

Maddy summarySB 45 repeals Utah's 2019 Kratom Consumer Protection Act and classifies alkaloids found in kratom as Schedule I controlled substances under state law. This change directly affects kratom users and businesses in Utah, removing previous regulatory protections and making kratom possession or sale illegal under state law. The bill amends Utah's controlled substances code to include kratom alkaloids in Schedule I, which prohibits use due to no accepted medical purpose and high abuse potential. This policy shift reverses prior regulations that allowed regulated sale and use of kratom products.

Maddy summarySB 295 requires Utah public schools and higher education institutions to promote intellectual diversity by hosting public policy events featuring diverse perspectives, including debates and discussions on differing viewpoints. It mandates that institutions organize these events, maintain public event calendars, and record sessions for transparency, while clarifying that existing anti-discrimination rules do not restrict invited guest lectures or speakers. The bill directly affects public schools, universities, and state government entities by modifying reporting requirements and curricular club policies. It makes no new funding allocations and focuses on procedural changes to encourage open discourse within educational settings.

Maddy summaryHB 51 amends Utah's adoption laws to update rules for child-placing adoption agencies and clarify rights for birth and adoptive parents. It modifies agency licensing, advertising, and reporting requirements; sets clear limits on permissible adoption fees; and specifies that birth mothers traveling to Utah for adoption can be transported from other states or countries. The bill also clarifies that birth parents may revoke adoption consent only under limited circumstances and adds provisions for mental health therapy support for birth parents. These changes directly affect adoption agencies, birth parents, and adoptive families by improving transparency and standardizing processes. The bill makes no changes to funding or court procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 270 voids non-compete agreements between employers and licensed healthcare workers in Utah, effective May 6, 2026. It specifically targets agreements that restrict healthcare workers - such as nurses, doctors, therapists, and counselors - from practicing in certain areas or for specific time periods after leaving a job. The bill also makes void certain nonsolicitation agreements between employers and healthcare workers under defined circumstances. This applies to all 35+ licensed healthcare professions listed in the bill, including advanced practice nurses, psychologists, and physical therapists, without creating new financial obligations.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution urges Utah public schools to prioritize student health by encouraging at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity for all K-12 students through existing programs like PE, recess, or classroom movement. It specifically recommends elementary schools (including charters) hold annual field trips to working farms or whole-food restaurants to teach nutrition and food systems. The resolution emphasizes local flexibility, allowing schools to implement these suggestions based on community needs without mandating specific methods. It does not allocate funds or create new legal requirements, instead serving as a policy recommendation aligned with national health guidelines.

Maddy summarySB 319 requires Utah health insurance companies to increase transparency around preauthorization processes. It mandates insurers to post detailed preauthorization requirements and statistics on their websites, disclose if they use artificial intelligence in reviews, and make decisions within seven days. The bill also sets minimum validity periods for authorizations covering chronic or long-term care conditions and requires independent medical judgment for denials. These changes directly affect insurers, healthcare providers submitting requests, and patients seeking covered services.

Maddy summaryHB 527 amends Utah's pharmacy pricing rules to require pharmacy benefit managers to base reimbursement rates only on drugs rated "A" or "B" in the FDA's Orange Book (or similar ratings) that are not obsolete and generally available in the state. It clarifies key terms like "maximum allowable cost" and "rebate," and grants the Insurance Department authority to create implementing rules. This directly affects pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and insurers by changing how drug reimbursement rates are calculated. The bill does not appropriate funds or create new taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 293 prohibits Utah public schools from joining athletic associations that fail to include specific student athlete protections. The bill requires associations to mandate holiday breaks, summer rest periods, and limit practice time to 15 hours per week. It also sets documentation standards for verifying student eligibility, with accommodations for non-citizen students (using alternative IDs or affidavits) and homeless youth (using school records or affidavits). This directly affects public schools and the athletic associations they partner with, ensuring associations comply with these policies before schools can participate.

Maddy summaryHB 36 creates a three-year Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program administered by Utah's State Board of Education. It designates elementary schools in counties of the fourth, fifth, or sixth class (serving grades K-6) as eligible to receive a "Gold medal recognition award" for meeting physical education standards set by the board. The program includes reporting requirements and is scheduled to sunset after three years, with no funding appropriated. This pilot aims to recognize schools meeting specific physical education criteria but does not establish ongoing funding or permanent standards.