Maddy summaryHB 153 requires Utah municipalities to follow specific procedures before taking significant employment actions against law enforcement officers, such as suspensions exceeding two days, demotions, or terminations. The bill mandates that agencies must notify officers of disciplinary allegations, provide at least two business days for a written response, and allow officers to present their case before a decision is made. This applies only to officers classified under Utah law (defined in Section 53-13-103) and does not change existing protections for non-law enforcement civil service employees. The bill amends two existing Utah Code sections to formalize these procedural safeguards, with no additional funding or substantive policy changes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 90 clarifies existing definitions of sexual offenses across multiple Utah Code sections, including laws governing criminal conduct, victim protections, and nonprofit corporation accountability. It updates technical language and ensures consistency in how sexual offenses are defined in statutes related to criminal law, victim services, and organizational conduct. The bill makes no new criminal penalties or funding changes - only refining how current laws apply. This affects legal proceedings involving sexual offenses, such as court cases, background checks, and nonprofit dissolution claims tied to misconduct.
Maddy summaryHB 301 "Drug Recodification" is a procedural bill that reorganizes Utah's existing drug laws by moving certain criminal drug offenses from Title 58 (Occupations and Professions) into Title 76 (Utah Criminal Code). It updates cross-references across multiple statutes and adds coordination clauses to align with related legislation, such as S.B. 117 on licensing. The bill makes technical changes to improve the structure of drug-related provisions without creating new penalties or appropriating funds. This reorganization affects how Utah's legal code references drug offenses but does not change the underlying criminal penalties or directly impact individuals.
Maddy summaryHB 130 prohibits employers in Utah from requiring employees or job applicants to pay for medical examinations (including drug tests) as a condition of hiring or employment. It directly affects workers and prospective employees who might otherwise be charged fees for required health screenings. The bill mandates that employers cover all costs of these exams, bans reimbursement schemes where employees pay upfront and get refunded later, and establishes enforcement through the Labor Division, allowing workers to file claims within one year for violations. If an employer violates the law, they must reimburse affected individuals and may face daily penalties of up to 5% of the fees paid, with penalties retained 50% for enforcement costs and 50% returned to the worker.
Maddy summarySB 27 amends Utah law to expand protections for peace officers and military service members against assault or threats of violence. It separates offenses into two distinct categories: one for peace officers (including off-duty officers and their families if the attack was due to their status) and another for military members (including off-duty members, those not in uniform, and their families under similar circumstances). The bill clarifies definitions, such as "family member" and "peace officer," and updates related code sections to reflect these changes. These amendments aim to strengthen legal safeguards for these groups without altering existing penalty structures.
Maddy summarySB 87 allows healthcare providers and overdose outreach groups to legally administer or dispense **expired naloxone** (up to 24 months past expiration) without fear of legal liability, as long as it’s done in good faith during an overdose emergency. It specifically extends immunity from civil lawsuits or criminal charges for using expired naloxone, clarifies that prescribing/dispensing expired naloxone isn’t unprofessional conduct, and requires providers to educate recipients on its safety, efficacy, and risks. The bill directly affects **licensed healthcare professionals, overdose outreach programs, and individuals at high risk of opioid overdose** (or their family/friends who may assist them). Key provisions include permitting expired naloxone use under standing prescriptions and ensuring providers give clear instructions on overdose response. The law does not change existing rules for non-expired naloxone.
Maddy summarySB 96 amends Utah laws to clarify how the Department of Health and Human Services investigates opioid overdose deaths and shares related information. It explicitly states the department can investigate drug overdose fatalities as public health hazards, specifies that treatment records shared with medical examiners must follow federal privacy laws (like 42 U.S.C. § 290dd-2), and allows the department to use its authority to identify prevention and intervention opportunities after deaths under the medical examiner’s jurisdiction. The bill directly affects the Department of Health, medical examiners, healthcare providers (who share treatment records), and public health officials. It makes no new funding changes and updates existing codes without creating new programs.
Maddy summarySB 205 requires Utah law enforcement agencies to publicly share policies governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including which AI systems officers may use and how they must be configured. It mandates that any police report or record created partly using AI must include a clear disclaimer and a certification that the content was reviewed for accuracy. Agencies must post their full AI policies and detailed information about AI settings - such as transparency features or crime-specific restrictions - on their websites or the state public notice site. This law directly affects all Utah police departments and sheriff's offices, ensuring transparency about AI use in investigations. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the portion of Route 126 in Weber County as the George E. Wahlen Memorial Highway. It requires the Utah Department of Transportation to include this name on future state highway maps and install appropriate signage along the route. The legislation affects only the naming and signage of this specific highway segment and does not involve any funding or changes to traffic laws. It takes effect on May 6, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 79 amends Utah's Governmental Immunity Act to expand legal protection for government entities and employees. It explicitly grants immunity from lawsuits when responding to disasters or providing emergency medical services (including by first responders), clarifying that this protection isn't limited to specific emergency types. The bill affects government employees performing these duties, ensuring they cannot be sued for actions taken during disaster response or emergency medical care. These changes are technical amendments to existing immunity provisions with no new funding or significant policy shifts.