Sen. Stephanie Pitcher

Maddy summarySB 128 requires clinics performing egg retrievals for assisted reproduction to include specific disclosures in written agreements with donors, detailing any reasonably foreseeable complications. It also prohibits clauses that would release clinics from liability for complications occurring within 90 days of the procedure. The bill directly affects donors providing eggs and reproductive tissue facilities conducting the procedures. It takes effect on May 7, 2025, and does not appropriate funds.

Maddy summarySB 54 allows Utah election candidates to appear on ballots using their middle name, nickname, or initial instead of their full first name. It establishes a formal process for candidates to request these name variations and creates an appeal path if such requests are denied by election officials. The bill directly affects all candidates running for office in Utah elections, including local, state, and special district positions. This is a procedural change to ballot formatting with no associated funding or policy shifts beyond name presentation rules.

Maddy summarySJR 10 amends Utah's Rules of Criminal Procedure (Rule 11) to update how courts handle pleas in criminal cases. It requires judges to confirm defendants understand their rights, the facts of the case, and potential sentences before accepting a guilty or no-contest plea. The amendment also mandates that courts inform defendants in domestic violence cases about firearm restrictions under federal and state law. These changes apply to all criminal courts in Utah and clarify procedures for plea agreements, withdrawal timelines, and judicial oversight of plea processes.

Maddy summarySB 136 repeals a prohibition preventing licensed motor vehicle dealers and salespeople from selling, leasing, or offering vehicles for sale on consecutive Saturdays and Sundays. This change directly affects licensed dealers and salespersons operating in Utah by allowing them to conduct business on back-to-back weekend days. The bill makes no other substantive changes to the Motor Vehicle Business Regulation Act, only removing this specific restriction on weekend sales. No additional requirements or financial impacts are associated with this amendment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SB 342 ("Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Facilities Amendments"), proposes changes to facility-related rules for Utah's schools serving deaf and blind students. The bill title indicates it focuses on amendments to existing facility provisions, though the specific policy changes are not detailed in the provided context. It directly affects Utah's schools for the Deaf and Blind and their operational infrastructure. Without the full bill text or summary describing the exact amendments, the precise mechanisms or provisions cannot be specified. For details on the proposed changes, the full bill text or official summary would be required.

Maddy summaryHB 227 expands who qualifies as a "restricted person" regarding dangerous weapons in Utah. It adds two specific categories: people found not guilty by reason of insanity for *any* criminal offense (not just felonies) and people found mentally incompetent to stand trial for *any* criminal offense (not just felonies). This change directly affects individuals with these mental health-related legal findings, regardless of the offense's severity. The bill modifies Utah Code Section 76-10-503 to include these broader criteria, aligning with existing restrictions for other categories like violent felonies or domestic violence convictions.

Maddy summarySB 222 strengthens Utah's vehicle emissions inspection enforcement by targeting owners who use false addresses to avoid inspections. It allows the Motor Vehicle Division to revoke a vehicle's registration if an owner provides a false or improper address to bypass emissions checks, and prohibits registration until any related civil penalties are paid. The bill also permits the State Tax Commission to recover investigation or administrative costs. This directly affects vehicle owners who attempt to evade emissions inspections through address fraud, making it harder to avoid compliance.

Maddy summarySB 176 increases the maximum payout for victims of dog attacks from $50,000 to $75,000 in both arbitration and court cases, covering bodily injury claims (excluding certain costs). It also allows families to file wrongful death claims in dog attack cases. The bill makes technical updates to Utah's existing law on arbitration for dog injury cases (Section 18-1-4) but does not appropriate new funds. This directly affects victims seeking compensation and the insurance companies or owners liable for dog attacks.

Maddy summaryHB 215 amends rules governing Utah's Office of the Legislative Auditor General, directly affecting state agencies, local governments, and the Utah System of Higher Education that undergo audits. Key changes include clarifying how federal law conflicts with information requests (e.g., from the State Tax Commission), allowing the auditor to share draft reports with audited entities, and permitting the auditor to designate non-chief officers to respond to audits. The bill also explicitly authorizes the auditor to review the Utah System of Higher Education and restates the auditor's constitutional authority. These updates aim to streamline audit processes while maintaining legal compliance and accountability.

Maddy summarySB 329 would extend the period during which borrowers can cancel a deferred deposit loan without fees. Specifically, it requires lenders to provide a default notice and allows borrowers to rescind the loan by returning the funds to the lender by 5 p.m. on the third business day following the loan transaction. This bill directly affects individuals who take out short-term deferred deposit loans, commonly known as "payday loans," by giving them more time to reconsider the agreement. The key provision modifies the existing rescission window from a shorter period to the third business day. The bill is currently stalled in the Senate after committee action failed.