Sen. Jen Plumb

Maddy summaryHB 365 requires Utah's Department of Health and Human Services to commission a study on pediatric mental health care access. The study will measure wait times for children to see therapists, identify barriers (like location, insurance, or provider availability), compare regional differences, and survey parents. It mandates specific data collection methods, strict privacy protections, and requires two reports: a preliminary update by May 2026 and a final report with recommendations by May 2027. This bill directly affects children and families seeking pediatric mental health services in Utah by focusing on systemic access issues. The study itself, not new funding or services, is the key policy change.

Maddy summarySB 78 creates a "homeless services provider ombudsman" within Utah's Office of Homeless Services to address complaints from individuals experiencing homelessness about service providers. The ombudsman investigates allegations that providers violate laws, endanger health/safety, or act without proper justification, and provides training on rights and services. Service providers must display posters with complaint information and contact details for the ombudsman. This bill directly affects homeless individuals seeking services and the organizations providing those services, with no new funding required.

Maddy summarySB 65 amends Utah law to establish regulatory requirements for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in specific human services programs. It directs the Office of Licensing within the Department of Health and Human Services to create and enforce rules governing MAT use in residential treatment programs and recovery residences. The bill primarily defines key terms and sets up a framework for oversight, without changing treatment protocols or appropriating funds. This affects facilities providing residential care or recovery services that use MAT, requiring them to comply with new licensing rules.

Maddy summarySB 86 amends Utah's workplace protections by lowering the employee threshold requiring businesses to comply with the Utah Antidiscrimination Act from 15 to 5 employees. This change directly affects small businesses and employers with 5 or more workers, expanding coverage under the law. The bill also updates the legal definition of sexual harassment but does not alter funding or add new requirements. These changes apply to all employers covered under Utah Code Sections 34A-5-102 and 34A-5-114.

Maddy summaryHB 127 increases mandatory minimum prison sentences for rape, object rape, and forcible sodomy when committed against an incapacitated individual. Specifically, it raises the baseline sentence from 10 years to 15 years for these offenses when the victim meets the defined criteria of being "incapacitated" (14+ years old with cognitive, intellectual, or physical impairments preventing understanding of sexual acts or resistance). The bill amends Utah Code Sections 76-5-402 (rape), 76-5-402.2 (object rape), and 76-5-403 (forcible sodomy) to implement this change. It does not create new programs or appropriate funds, focusing solely on adjusting sentencing requirements for these specific cases. The bill was signed into law by the governor on March 26, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 146 allows Utah public and private schools to stock glucagon kits for treating severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) emergencies. It permits qualified adults (like teachers or coaches who complete training) to administer the kits to students experiencing such emergencies, establishes a standing prescription for schools to obtain kits, and provides liability protection for those administering or prescribing them. The bill also requires training for school staff on proper kit storage and use. This directly affects schools, students with diabetes, and school staff in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 66 requires law enforcement officers in Utah to receive training on recognizing and responding to sexual assault committed during rituals, including its impact on victims. It creates an aggravating factor for certain crimes against minors (like abuse, kidnapping, or sexual offenses) if the crime was committed as part of a ritual, which could lead to harsher sentences. The bill affects law enforcement officers (through mandatory training) and defendants convicted of qualifying offenses against minors (who may face increased penalties). It coordinates with another bill (S.B. 24) that adds "child torture" to the list of offenses triggering this aggravating factor. The law takes effect May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 146 repeals a state law requiring mammography facilities to notify patients about cancer screening results (previously mandated under Utah Code § 26B-2-605). This change directly affects mammography facilities and patients by removing a specific notification requirement for abnormal results. The bill makes technical adjustments to existing rules about quality standards, facility certification, and data reporting under Utah Code §§ 26B-2-602 and 26B-2-604, with no new funding or broad policy changes. It takes effect May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 223 requires state agencies administering grants to disclose their administration costs to grant recipients upon request. It mandates written details including work hours, hourly labor costs, other expenses (like consultant fees), and the total amount retained for administration. This applies to all state grant programs and directly affects grant recipients (such as nonprofits or local governments) seeking transparency about how agency costs are calculated. The bill takes effect on May 7, 2025, and involves no new funding.

Maddy summarySB 121 creates the Property Loss Related to Homelessness Compensation Enterprise Fund to compensate businesses and individuals affected by property loss near homeless services facilities. It provides no-interest loans to businesses within 1/5 mile of such facilities for documented property damage or repair costs, or direct compensation for similar losses experienced by businesses or residents in the same proximity. The fund, initially funded with $10,000 from the General Fund, requires documentation like closed insurance claims and cannot duplicate other existing support. Funds are nonlapsing (do not expire) and will sunset for review by July 1, 2028.