Rep. Jake Fitisemanu

Maddy summaryHB 574 updates Utah's child passenger safety laws by requiring age- and size-appropriate restraints for children under 16. It mandates rear-facing car seats for infants under 2 years (until reaching the seat's weight/height limit), forward-facing seats for children aged 2-3.9 years, booster seats for children aged 4-8, and adult seatbelts for children 9 and older. The bill also requires children under 13 to ride in the rear seat when possible, aligning with federal safety guidelines. This takes effect May 6, 2026, with no new funding or penalties added.

Maddy summaryHB 275 establishes a two-year red light camera pilot program (2027-2028) at up to 10 high-risk intersections in Utah, designated using crash, traffic, and injury data. The Department of Transportation manages camera installation and data collection, while local law enforcement agencies issue warnings (not fines) to drivers captured violating traffic signals during a public education phase. The program requires clear signage at intersections and prohibits using camera evidence for citations or penalty points on driving records. It mandates annual reports on the program’s implementation and results before its repeal in April 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 340 amends Utah's Medicare supplement insurance rules to allow individuals under 65 who are eligible for Medicare to enroll in Medicare supplement plans under specific circumstances. The bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage or charging more for preexisting conditions diagnosed within six months before coverage starts. It also requires insurers to let enrollees switch to comparable or lower-tier plans annually without medical underwriting and establishes loss ratio standards for premium refunds. These changes directly affect Utah residents under 65 who qualify for Medicare but previously faced enrollment barriers. The bill focuses on expanding access and standardizing coverage terms without appropriating state funds.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 83 creates a civil penalty for minors under 18 who possess modified imitation firearms that appear realistic in public places, but only after police have previously issued a documented warning. The law targets toys altered to look like real guns (not standard imitation firearms), requiring minors to have been warned before facing penalties. It applies specifically to public locations and does not affect first-time offenses or non-altered toys. The bill takes effect in May 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 98 amends Utah law to require regulated residential facilities (including treatment programs, recovery residences, and social detox centers) to notify nearby residents before opening. Specifically, facilities must mail or post notices to properties within 300 feet of their location, including details about services, client types, and contact information for a facility representative. This applies to all new facilities starting operations after May 6, 2026, and affects both the facilities and adjacent property owners/residents. The bill does not change licensing fees or funding but clarifies notification requirements to increase community transparency.

Maddy summaryHB 258 amends Utah's Medicare supplement insurance rules to directly affect enrollees in these plans. It requires insurers to allow members to switch to a comparable or lower-tier plan annually (on their birthday plus 60 days) without medical underwriting. The bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on health status when enrollees choose a different plan within the same insurer's offerings. This change aims to provide more flexibility in plan selection while maintaining access to coverage regardless of health history. The law does not appropriate funds or alter existing coverage requirements beyond this annual switching provision.

Maddy summaryHB 565 establishes a two-year pilot program (2026-2027) using red light cameras at up to 10 high-risk intersections identified by Utah's Department of Transportation based on crash and fatality data. The program includes a 30-day data collection phase, a 60-day public education period with signage, and a 12-month camera implementation phase. Drivers caught running red lights during the pilot receive a warning for first violations (with photo evidence), and a civil notice with a $130 maximum fine for repeat violations - no additional fees may be charged. The bill requires the Department of Transportation and law enforcement to report on the program's effectiveness and mandates clear signage and photo evidence for all enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryHB 187 creates a new infraction for minors (under 18) who intentionally possess altered toy, look-alike, or imitation firearms that appear real in public places, *after* receiving a prior written warning from law enforcement. The bill specifically targets items modified to resemble actual firearms, as defined by federal toy regulations, and applies only when the minor knows the item is altered and possesses it in a public location. This is a minor violation (not a criminal charge), requiring prior warning as a condition for enforcement. The bill takes effect May 7, 2025, and affects minors who repeatedly ignore warnings about such items in public spaces.

Maddy summaryHB 485 requires regulated residential facilities - such as treatment programs, recovery residences, and social detox centers - to notify neighbors before opening. Specifically, facilities must mail or post written notice to properties within 300 feet of their location within 30 days of starting operations. The notice must include the facility’s location, services offered, client focus, and contact details for a representative to address neighbor concerns. This bill directly affects facility operators and nearby residents, aiming to improve community transparency without adding new fees or funding. It amends Utah’s licensing rules for residential treatment programs and takes effect on May 7, 2025.