Rep. Candice Pierucci

Maddy summarySB 39 amends Utah's education assessment rules to expand the grade ranges for state testing in math, English, and science (from grades 3-8 to 3-10 starting in 2026), while removing requirements for separate high school assessments. It mandates that tests be computer adaptive (adjusting difficulty based on student responses), administered online, and aligned with Utah's curriculum standards. The bill prevents test scores from affecting students' course grades or grade promotion, though teachers may use scores to support learning. It also creates a 15-member parent committee to review assessment questions, with appointments split between state board, House, and Senate leaders.

Maddy summaryHB 363 requires Utah correctional facilities to test all female inmates for pregnancy upon admission and expands mandatory newborn hearing screenings to apply to all infants, regardless of hospital birth volume. The bill also mandates that parents or guardians receive a privacy consent form before newborn heelstick testing and can opt to consent to or decline the retention of biological samples or genetic data collected during testing. If consent is not given, the Department of Health and Human Services must destroy all collected samples and data. This bill directly affects incarcerated women, newborn infants, and their parents or guardians, with implementation requiring changes to existing testing protocols and consent procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 42 creates emergency funding for Utah school districts facing sudden increases in English learner enrollment. Schools qualify if English learner enrollment rises 75% above their three-year average or by 30+ students compared to that average. The state board will distribute funds from existing nonlapsing funds (capped at $500,000 annually) to cover teacher training, reducing class sizes for English learners, or hiring classroom aides - prohibiting administrative costs. Districts must demonstrate financial need and report annually on how funds improve student outcomes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 460 requires Utah elected officials to disclose travel expenses (including transportation and lodging outside Utah) provided by foreign governments or their agents. It directly affects state legislators and other officials defined under Utah law, mandating disclosure within 31 days if they know or should reasonably know the travel was funded by a foreign entity. The bill specifies that disclosures must include the official's name, travel dates, and the foreign entity's name, and requires the lieutenant governor to make these records publicly available within one business day. This law aims to increase transparency about potential foreign influence in official travel, effective May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 568 requires Utah school districts to offer a half-day kindergarten class at every school, removing the prior requirement that such classes be provided only upon parental request. The bill allows districts to adjust class offerings if half-day enrollment falls below 18 students per school and mandates that districts inform parents about the half-day option during registration. It also adds new requirements for kindergarten toilet training, including parental assurances and support services for students not yet toilet-trained, effective 2024-2025. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with no new state funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 280 amends Utah's definition of "employee" in school district employment law, specifically excluding certain administrators from this category. The bill clarifies that district superintendents, business administrators, and executive leadership team members hired after July 2025 are not considered "employees" for purposes of employment policies. This is a technical revision to existing definitions with no new funding or policy changes, effective May 7, 2025. It directly affects how school districts categorize and manage employment for these specific leadership roles.

Maddy summaryHB 535 requires CDL applicants to sign a form confirming their ability to read, speak, and understand English sufficiently to interact with the public, interpret traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete records. It also mandates that driver training schools report specific information to the state. These changes directly affect CDL applicants and training schools by adding standardized language verification and reporting obligations. The bill amends Utah Code sections governing CDL qualifications and third-party testing, focusing on clear communication skills for safety.

Maddy summaryHB 393 prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to or influencing Utah elections through ballot initiatives or candidate campaigns. It directly affects candidates, officeholders, and campaign entities required to file financial reports by banning them from knowingly accepting foreign funds. Key provisions require annual certifications confirming no foreign contributions were accepted, immediate notification and return of foreign funds (or dispersal into the state General Fund if refused), and criminal/civil penalties for violations. The bill amends Utah’s campaign finance laws to define foreign influence and establish enforcement mechanisms, with no new funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 52 requires health insurers to count drug or device discount coupons toward an enrollee's deductible and copay costs, unless specific exceptions apply (like when a generic or biosimilar alternative exists). It also mandates that pharmaceutical companies and coupon providers allow the full coupon value to reduce out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy and disclose coupon terms to insurers 12 months in advance. The bill directly affects health insurance enrollees using coupons, insurers, and drug manufacturers. It takes effect May 7, 2025, and does not apply to "qualifying health benefit plans" meeting specific cost-sharing criteria.

Maddy summarySB 308 creates structured concurrent enrollment language courses for high school students who have passed world language Advanced Placement exams (defined as "accelerated foreign language students"). It requires state universities to offer upper-level language courses using blended learning (online + in-person instruction) taught by instructors with advanced language proficiency and a master's degree or equivalent. Local school districts can partner with universities outside their usual service area to provide these courses if needed. The bill ensures these courses count toward college language degrees and requires annual funding increases tied to student enrollment metrics, without new state funding.