[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359193,"mediaKeyId","2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2","parentId",2187728,"title","Committee repeals 'orders of constraint' language, adds mask‑exemption protections for certain medical disabilities","audioSeconds",1512,"startMs",4288000,"endMs",5800000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2&start=4288&end=5800","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2/thumbnail_4288000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359193/Utah/Committee-repeals-orders-of-constraint-language-adds-maskexemption-protections-for-certain-medical-disabilities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359193-ea280f0cf9a3b33a97d0089db08c853a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113881&Signature=MHY8HSVr6t7NhySAT67GGOo12wzndgjK~hldSrL0HtICw22uEcGnePugcPOLSPlfg0AQSA1wbk5SHQdYNs2ng0~t6J97u1TZ9s~AWR65FQYN2xggSB~QXAoA94zb6ucsJgxPrCDMZu5LzeMgwuqThLCUN13MLP-bgTbVlsoCXn~cKdICdtKrt8Mpfv6~yNKOpgqaSIxunhiwizYEbeU0p1KnF5GMyG2DC6Cz6pOEWeBKMaBtgvv3qGVfbOlEuP4wcK-MvSMVjOTvCLNrAsfQ4Z1FDnfAcxjotO8sQ8MgqcNqM6vL-4I3Wf0Rl~AyM59Ok2BktrxT4VdTR8dq9ZbLyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","Representative McPherson presented a bill that would repeal the 2021 statutory language creating \"orders of constraint\" and restore the older \"orders of restriction\" framework for local public‑health powers; the measure also creates protections preventing denial of service to individuals who have a diagnosed condition or disability that precludes mask wearing.

McPherson said orders of constraint (enacted during the COVID emergency) covered broad, population‑wide measures and lacked some time‑ and due‑process limits contained in the longstanding orders‑of‑restriction code. \"Orders of constraint ... were added into code in 2021 as a response to COVID,\" McPherson said, and the bill would repeal that section and return to the preexisting statutory framework that includes explicit time and procedural safeguards.

The bill adds a statutory protection similar to previous 2023 vaccine‑status language, stating that entities cannot deny service to people who have medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from wearing a mask. Several residents testified in favor, recounting personal hardship and medical or developmental reasons that made masking harmful or impossible. Public‑health representatives—speaking for Utah's local health departments—told the committee they had worked with the sponsor on language; the Utah Association of Local Health Departments said repeal of orders of constraint would limit one emergency tool but affirmed local health departments retained other authorities to respond to communicable diseases and disasters.

Representative Bolander offered an amendment the committee adopted; sponsors said the amendment clarifies that the bill does not preempt private-sector or public-sector entities from establishing their own masking rules and preserves 24‑hour emergency powers for public‑health authorities where necessary. After adoption of the amendment, the committee passed HB 294 with a favorable recommendation on a voice vote. Supporters framed the bill as restoring statutory limits on sweeping emergency orders while protecting people who suffered harms from universal masking requirements during the pandemic.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Health and Human Services Committee - January 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A bill to repeal emergency-era 'orders of constraint' and to protect people medically unable to wear masks passed the committee after public testimony on both public‑health tools and individual harms during COVID restrictions.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359197,"Panel approves bill letting four DHHS restricted accounts keep interest earnings",805,3592000,4397000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2&start=3592&end=4397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2/thumbnail_3592000.jpg","/articles/6359197/Utah/Panel-approves-bill-letting-four-DHHS-restricted-accounts-keep-interest-earnings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359197-b1dff123cdd51152512948d9f92acc6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113881&Signature=flWs52SEC6CXqSClg8rzwsREOdaXwjxoJ4xToimbqDrm5wGb8IOJ04rMBgcGEdrIceqk8JKIBLEzALXauB60-8EMDl5cp~mjqjhkLgTScNUm6SAkciIlwamMWADS5zQCYNnO2jI-CJkRfsipSAokbmUTj2mK9IB1zdReAx-2ehVeVe2LAqk8bAdRkP7QYbU98r7tcpigVkiprzsN~Ti3M-oPYt0NEvt-4gqEi6fb6Lql834GEpZWMWHdwX4Z1c0zJ~c0KhqgbVtSmdeJgxtxnMF8aXB~ejoBL2OJBz8o~654iLzTNPRTTbfGtNzHyTc-kegcBR3PadHyj4lQNTiOvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Nguyen introduced HB 238 to allow four restricted accounts under the Department of Health and Human Services to retain the interest they earn instead of returning that interest to the general fund. The accounts named in the measure are the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) account, the statewide behavioral health crisis response account, the suicide prevention education account, and the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Fund. \"Allowing these accounts to retain the interest they accrue means more resources for critical services like mental health crisis response, brain injury rehabilitation, and disability support,\" Nguyen said.

Committee members clarified how the mechanism works. The fiscal analyst estimated the accounts collectively earn roughly $1,000,000 in interest annually; the transcript reflects that figure as the basis for the fiscal note. Deputy director Nate Winters of the Department of Health and Human Services told the committee these accounts were the remaining DHHS funds being proposed to retain interest and that the department supports maximizing restricted funds for program services.

Some members discussed the larger policy implications of allowing individual accounts to retain interest. Representative Abbott said he was philosophically concerned about using investment performance to affect program funding levels and emphasized the legislature's role in setting program budgets; Representative Eliason and others said the fiscal staff routinely reviews account balances and that appropriations can still be adjusted when accounts accumulate excess funds. Representative Hollins moved to forward HB 238 with a favorable recommendation; the committee approved the bill by voice vote with no roll-call in the transcript.

Supporters said the change would help targeted programs (including DSPD wait‑list needs and suicide prevention work) use all available dollars in a tight fiscal year. The committee vote advances the bill for further consideration.","HB 238 would allow four restricted Department of Human Services accounts to retain earned interest to expand services for vulnerable Utahns; the committee approved the bill unanimously.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359201,"Committee forwards bill to codify veterans-homelessness coordination",360,1369000,1729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2&start=1369&end=1729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2/thumbnail_1369000.jpg","/articles/6359201/Utah/Committee-forwards-bill-to-codify-veterans-homelessness-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359201-8d16b5bc91c8cae2c6daeb8c83be6844/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113881&Signature=LKuGyiaP~W0wBSIwi~g7M95tfLerdqA91LR5MVmg5ngDqafsbLlsuBuPK~vGJfVf3VzLJfVcmDdYZ42omXvHkqOWicQpzs91WQmY1QX-AT7xrMoVbmNJK-zyieFItL7M5FQ-TrmX5eFRTnMhAMqEAejsPBpB2Jq58zoKXx7Djd0T8wKvbGdN5~SOOr8mA9aabznyD0ioWkkhlIVOwPIDL~S00vnL9BV8HuuZMtqYHgpZIyU74cK-Zqi0skKA9J8dnnj5~fD7DNdwKoFQaGNiL9lGbOZ5oaL36xIyAT0FT9vIkb0FpXkUdiAnDzs7SX720M3vC5lxQEwUHb7q9YYOCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Daley Provo presented HB 266 as a limited, preparatory bill to formalize cooperation between the state Office of Homeless Services and veterans' affairs programs. \"This simple bill basically codifies something that already happens,\" Daley Provo told the committee, describing the measure as groundwork for larger interim work on programs to prevent and rapidly end veteran homelessness.

She said the legislation reflects existing partnerships and would not itself create large new programs this session; rather, it aims to signal state support and create a foundation for more complex initiatives to be developed during the interim. Committee members asked whether the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs is a state or federal office; Daley Provo clarified Utah has a state-level Department of Veterans and Military Affairs that reports to executive appropriations and is a state agency.

Representative Elison moved to forward HB 266 with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed by voice vote. The sponsor and supporters said they will use the interim to explore evidence‑based prevention programs, including enhanced screening and connections to evidence‑based interventions for veterans at risk of homelessness.","Lawmakers sent HB 266 forward after the sponsor said the measure codifies existing coordination between the state's homeless services office and veterans affairs to prevent and rehouse veterans.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359207,"Committee approves bill to require disclosure if vaccines are intentionally added to food",1558,1776000,3334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2&start=1776&end=3334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2/thumbnail_1776000.jpg","/articles/6359207/Utah/Committee-approves-bill-to-require-disclosure-if-vaccines-are-intentionally-added-to-food","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359207-4ec6d09c43240a05ec5c7528f2e567d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113881&Signature=LgA4dtQHO2oJXnEeMZhtR6LM5c6RJsphF~RNngHjnI-2ulTVwY4c~RfODfcqbRicDkn~f7bFUFv5PbQgaOyGZzbaTOnhBtLmFcPBKepdrfvyvzSmvimEpd161hd~082iA~NhZVIjwN92SP~iV-vIqyLTGqjSaQTFqzUf8qgdv4XayQ-VvJc15EmhMNVxRm8pvCxeb9Lpmt~57tYadAFyqbwJbvdt-e9HkThRDMpW1aHN5f3CGTiClR8WCHobVx-1oNvRpkiGZt0wKTLxvVSvFOEg5j2MJ7r3d3t-5vSofWkofZ2FX8XsVCDAloY3qVS4kXqC264LkS6bgNCiYOX7sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Lee presented HB 84 and a substitute that would require disclosure if human vaccines or agents intended to affect human biological function are intentionally introduced into food. He and supporters said the bill would not ban the technology but would require transparency if such products reach the market. \"It's not saying you couldn't do it. It's just saying that if it is going to happen ... that we would have that transparency,\" Lee said.

Committee members asked technical questions about whether research in this area is active and how the measure would interact with existing federal review. Several members and public commenters noted that research into oral or plant‑based vaccine delivery exists at universities and in some international trials. The Utah Public Health Association testified that existing FDA and USDA regimes already regulate foods and biologicals sold in interstate commerce and stressed the need for informed consent and evidence‑based policy.

Public commenters raised a range of concerns. A Davis County resident representing the Utah Public Health Association's Immunization Advocacy Coalition said the FDA and USDA already regulate vaccines and foods and urged careful coordination; a physician with a public‑health degree told the committee she did not see a regulatory gap that required this bill. Other residents urged passage, citing long‑standing research into plant‑based vaccine delivery and possible nanotechnology and mRNA research in animals.

The committee adopted the first substitute and then voted to forward the substitute HB 84 with a favorable recommendation on a voice vote. Committee members said the substitute tightened the bill language (for example by requiring that any vaccine be \"intentionally\" placed in food for the disclosure requirement to apply) and addressed concerns raised by stakeholders.

The substitute specifies that if a vaccine, as regulated by state and federal law, is intentionally introduced into food for human consumption the product should be treated under the relevant regulatory framework and labeled; it does not change FDA or USDA authority. The committee sent the bill forward for further consideration.","Lawmakers advanced HB 84 after testimony from public‑health groups and residents; the substitute narrows the measure to require disclosure only where a vaccine is intentionally added to food and clarifies regulatory authority.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359212,"House panel backs scheduling tianeptine and phenibut amid addiction concerns",1292,83000,1375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2&start=83&end=1375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187728-a05d93d95d5ca364c408d718f6f496b2/thumbnail_83000.jpg","/articles/6359212/Utah/House-panel-backs-scheduling-tianeptine-and-phenibut-amid-addiction-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359212-29c8f2fd330e206a8a519375f7bb60fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113881&Signature=AD2uaF0-4K-cs1XnFqYZkwsxRM7KIAqkNvc3JKX0xcM75~pannel4kB~LiFmrxzMldtzOKK7HX0oRWBTHySeFILUCSJHN4e4R-z~RB22mvJXVRl7qKs3lRkJykmh9Lzr7NYfXe7Qe~sY27rP0ffjONSPj1w-U9DJX6UaOo5g-tVPmr9cHMWTytlbOn20cMXZkrfVlvExgcDIRQDmTTrtie~sN42DgYK5ThB4NtQV2wAVgM6s67MVwMFTllF3iEOfSdXbV97LOC0nh~0~vcmaYy6R74tk2rHnUetzP92dF20ceoDmkDYMF2fa9R7pb1woHkSbLgT2q5NoyU41vnKQkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Cutler presented HB 173 to the House Health and Human Services Committee, seeking to add two compounds—tianeptine and phenibut—to the state?s controlled-substances schedule. \"My goal is to get these off the retail market,\" Cutler told the committee, saying there had been no substantive change to the bill since an October interim presentation and that medical experts recommended scheduling.

The committee heard clinical case reports from Dr. Scott Erickson, a family physician in Bountiful who said he has treated multiple patients with dependence and prolonged withdrawal from phenibut and tianeptine. Erickson described a 37-year-old patient who required repeated tapers using baclofen and gabapentin-like medications and a 22-year-old who spent a week in an intensive care unit after high‑dose phenibut use. \"We were able to wean him off finally, but even after several months, he still stated ... he just did not feel right since his phenibut use,\" Erickson said, describing persistent post‑acute withdrawal symptoms.

Lawmakers questioned scheduling level and criminal consequences. Representative Daley Provo asked why the sponsor favored Schedule I rather than Schedule II or III, noting that higher schedules carry stiffer criminal penalties. Cutler said he relied on recommendations from clinicians and their goal to remove the products from retail shelves. Several members—including one who suggested Schedule II or III—expressed concern that a Schedule I designation could complicate long-term recovery and reentry into the community.

Members also discussed how the compounds are sold. Committee members and Dr. Erickson said the products are often obtainable at gas stations or smoke shops, in forms ranging from energy drinks to powders and tinctures, and that potency and composition are frequently unknown. Representative Chevre asked whether the two substances appear together in retail products; Cutler and Erickson said they had no evidence the drugs were combined and that availability varies by product and vendor.

Representative Elison moved to forward HB 173 with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a voice vote; the committee recorded no roll-call tally in the transcript.

The bill sponsor and clinicians framed the measure as a public‑health action to reduce ease of access while acknowledging unresolved questions about the precise scheduling level and downstream criminal‑justice consequences. The committee vote sends the bill to the next stage of consideration.","The House Health and Human Services Committee voted to give HB 173 a favorable recommendation to add tianeptine and phenibut to Utah's controlled-substances schedule after lawmakers heard physician testimony about severe withdrawal and easy retail access.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee repeals 'orders of constraint' language, adds mask‑exemption protections for certain medical disabilities

Panel approves bill letting four DHHS restricted accounts keep interest earnings

Committee forwards bill to codify veterans-homelessness coordination

Committee approves bill to require disclosure if vaccines are intentionally added to food

House panel backs scheduling tianeptine and phenibut amid addiction concerns