Rep. Karianne Lisonbee

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution directs Utah's Public Employees' Benefit and Insurance Program (PEHP) to add hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatments for perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms to its drug formulary. It specifically affects state employees covered by PEHP health plans, requiring the program to include these treatments in its approved medications. The resolution does not address "black box" warnings but mandates PEHP to cover HRT for symptom relief. As a procedural directive, it guides an agency's existing policy without creating new law.

Maddy summarySB 174 allows health care providers, institutions, and payers in Utah to refuse participation in certain medical services (like pregnancy termination disposal) based on religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. It requires providers who refuse such services to notify their institution and prohibits retaliation, discrimination, or adverse actions against them for exercising this right. The bill also shields these individuals from civil, criminal, or administrative liability and mandates health care payers to disclose services they won’t cover due to conscience objections. It defines key terms like "conscience" and "adverse action" to clarify protections and enforcement mechanisms. The bill makes no changes to funding and applies to all covered health care entities under Utah law.

Maddy summaryHB 48 updates Utah's definitions and reporting requirements for recidivism in both adult and juvenile justice systems. It broadens how "recidivism" is measured to include misdemeanor arrests involving force (not just prison returns) and defines juvenile recidivism for data reporting. The bill removes the ban on placing minors in adult correctional facilities as an alternative to detention and allows prosecutors to request changes to where minors tried as adults are housed. These changes affect the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, the Department of Corrections, and juvenile justice programs by requiring updated data collection methods and reporting standards.

Maddy summaryHB 370 strengthens oversight of the Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry by clarifying definitions and assigning specific monitoring duties to local law enforcement and the Division of Adult Probation and Parole. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to create a monitoring program for sex offenders who cannot provide a residential address and to establish an online training program for those who work with offenders. It also mandates that courts issue arrest warrants for certain offenders upon finding probable cause, while creating criminal penalties for failing to comply with the new monitoring requirements. These changes aim to improve tracking and supervision of registered sex offenders through updated legal responsibilities and enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 110 creates a court process to validate marriages that weren't properly solemnized (e.g., without an officiant or license) in Utah. It requires individuals to file a court petition before May 5, 2027, proving they met specific criteria like cohabitation, mutual marital duties, and public recognition as spouses. After this deadline, no petitions will be accepted, making such marriages permanently unvalidated. The bill directly affects people in informal or "common law" marriage situations who lack formal marriage documentation. It amends Utah law to establish this specific legal pathway with a clear deadline.

Maddy summarySB 323 reorganizes Utah's existing criminal and juvenile justice laws into a new, unified structure. It creates Title 75E (Criminal and Juvenile Justice Administration) and establishes the Department of Criminal Justice Services to oversee related programs. The bill moves specific existing programs - like the Indigent Defense Commission, Safe at Home Program, and Youth Defense Fund - into this new framework, updates terminology, and removes obsolete provisions. This procedural change affects state agencies managing justice services, not the public directly, and requires coordination with other pending bills.

Maddy summarySB 233 updates Utah's process for evaluating judges. It directly affects judges on the Utah Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, as well as the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission. Key changes include requiring the Commission to study appeal reversals and report findings to lawmakers, allowing judges to speak at Commission meetings in specific situations, updating the performance survey content, and adjusting certification standards for judges. The bill reorganizes related laws but does not appropriate funds.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 372 requires Utah courts handling child welfare cases to explicitly consider a minor's best interest within the context of existing legal standards, specifically referencing Section 80-4-104. It updates definitions in multiple child welfare statutes (including court procedures and agency roles) to consistently mandate this standard. The bill directly affects judges, child welfare agencies, and court-appointed attorneys in cases involving minors. No new funding or programs are created; it clarifies how courts must apply current best-interest principles without altering service provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 23 requires Utah's Division of Corporations and Commercial Code to publish on its public website the contact details and website link of the state's designated protection and advocacy agency for service animal laws. This agency helps people understand existing rules about service animals in public spaces, such as restaurants or stores. The bill does not change service animal laws or create new requirements; it only makes information about existing resources more accessible online. It directly affects the public, businesses, and service animal handlers seeking clarity on current regulations. The change takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.