[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,100,111],{"_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",6313415,"mediaKeyId","2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90","parentId",2387920,"title","Votes at a glance: bills the Senate Health committee advanced on Feb. 20","audioSeconds",1764,"startMs",594000,"endMs",2358000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90&start=594&end=2358","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90/thumbnail_594000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313415/Utah/Votes-at-a-glance-bills-the-Senate-Health-committee-advanced-on-Feb-20","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313415-f5744c859ab6ed54f54af32f5ce9c314/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136216&Signature=TWy3K-QOlsWQGV71dCOIUomP8c8yEezbNh~mzG9qS1FikM63ZVuT1XoH~CZUSU6ZHvKYawVysSa4gO3t5fVWkjNrHr3QshjH9Kus~d7RGXIYE2QuwRj1GlbEHkTQPN6zZiK~Hinsjmr~nZUWtsfEwgrHe0GpVNKMfkj3q37o~3WdYtj0AzMjk3jg02GFm7UOvPlhCFAEzPM~SRdejnIY0iJVmUdoiJpMHDGagblwrD8-41w1b4Shz7OWy5P3JLFuPfY2fXyRwidBEji-LSDvoLlRK9JaHnuWLq8Q8e-VyJzV2ouE0xK3LUTK8emFTrDvF5lXJsc5Os9emi8gPwWEfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Utah Senate Health and Human Services Committee considered and moved multiple bills on Feb. 20. Below are brief summaries of each item the committee advanced, with the committee’s recorded action.

SB 312 — Pharmacy practice amendments
- What it does: Allows narrow additional pharmacist authorities in four defined situations (examples cited: contraceptive dispensing consultation, inhaler spacer education), clarifies pharmacy audit date‑range language with PBMs, and expands the definition of hospital pharmacy for a charitable prescription drug recycling program.
- Committee action: Committee adopted first substitute and favorably recommended SB 312 to the full Senate.
- Tally: Committee reported a favorable recommendation and the substitute was passed out of committee.

HB 347 — Behavioral health licensure and Medicaid preferred drug list amendments
- What it does: For certain adult behavioral‑health providers that hold national accreditation, the substitute reduces duplicative annual in‑person inspections (state may still inspect on complaint or violation); it also adjusts Medicaid preferred‑drug‑list authority to manage psychotropic medication classes (grandfathering current users on non‑preferred drugs), restoring management tools for the Medicaid pharmacy program.
- Committee action: Committee favorably recommended the substitute to the full Senate.

HB 296 — Recovery residence / sober‑living classification amendments
- What it does: Adjusts categorization so some recovery residences can qualify under an alternative standard (an OR rather than AND construction) to reflect non‑clinical, peer‑led facilities that do not use licensed clinicians; sponsors said oversight and licensing requirements remain in place. Committee discussion included concerns about predatory sober‑living operations and the need to preserve safeguards.
- Committee action: Committee adopted the first substitute and passed the bill out favorably (vote recorded as 3–1 in committee discussion).

HB 54 — Industrial hemp (annual cleanup) amendments
- What it does: Technical updates for the industrial hemp program, clarifies background‑check language and strengthens product‑safety and retail‑security provisions (examples: camera requirements at points of sale, clarifying prohibited psychotropic THC products on shelves). Department of Agriculture and Food staff and industry stakeholders testified in support.
- Committee action: Committee adopted an amendment and favorably recommended first substitute HB 54 to the full Senate.

SCR 5 — Concurrent resolution: Radon action and awareness month
- What it does: A nonbinding resolution declaring a month of radon awareness and encouraging testing; testimony emphasized radon’s contribution to lung‑cancer deaths and urged public education.
- Committee action: Committee favorably recommended SCR 5 to the Senate.

Notes on procedure: For each item above, the committee record indicates adoption of substitutes or amendments where noted and favorable recommendations to the full Senate. Exact roll‑call vote tallies are not always explicit for every motion in the transcript; the committee frequently used voice votes and recorded the outcome in committee minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Health and Human Services Committee - February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee advanced several bills with little public debate; this roundup lists each item, the committee action, and key details from the hearing record.","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},6313420,"Committee backs bill to create Medicaid ‘off‑ramp’ for in‑home services as earnings rise",276,3712000,3988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90&start=3712&end=3988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90/thumbnail_3712000.jpg","/articles/6313420/Utah/Committee-backs-bill-to-create-Medicaid-offramp-for-inhome-services-as-earnings-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313420-6558f87cefc7ddcd85b32276944d60bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136216&Signature=K755JFZFnZwIEU-vilTndx6-1f0tt3vfrVjdnHNOVhycIeIexfDBKzIaQuPtu6Opmst-5asUYREY53dysKnQraRpXHSS2Zpw4xtxT2lAuH-ChauP~oZs3jOd3fBoDQCLmznt3A0W06zPp3~vSnY9Uue4wjjegeErUQECXygFAbQGHsspu7tTAsRfvC5K7iFtoxHJ-atMa8KuU9Lh-t0vCGzqJZ-6-2EUcIBf2VULUm8e9uTBUQnCENrt0qOIy-F9DXPHF0XHX42OmlqIm7cJSsQkrrUimYxQoFNxx4ysGljsyuxT52nYHxfWVyVUBLWGWa9b3Ox8Id8H5xHW1eMIJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee on Feb. 20 favorably recommended House Bill 310, a measure that creates a pathway for adults receiving in‑home Medicaid services to increase earned income without immediately losing those essential services.

Sponsor overview: the sponsor said the bill aims to eliminate or reduce the “income cliff” that forces people with disabilities to restrict earnings to keep Medicaid coverage for in‑home supports (assistance with dressing, bathing and activities of daily living). Under the proposed framework, as beneficiaries’ incomes rise they would pay a growing share toward their Medicaid coverage on a sliding scale and keep in‑home services until a higher statutory cap is reached; the sponsor referenced an upper limit of roughly 800 percent of the federal poverty level as an off‑ramp target (the sponsor described that amount as roughly $120,000 before taxes, and noted that actual take‑home pay and out‑of‑pocket caregiver costs would affect household finances).

Public testimony: a University of Utah student testified that despite holding private insurance she relied on Medicaid for caregiving services and intentionally limited her income to retain those services. She described turning down promotions and opportunities to avoid losing coverage and urged passage to allow people to work without forfeiting essential supports.

Committee action: Senator Escamilla moved adoption of the first substitute and Senator Escamilla (and other members) supported the motion; committee members voted to favorably recommend the first substitute to the full Senate. The committee recorded a committee vote advancing the bill to the Senate.

What the bill would do: create an on‑ramp/off‑ramp model that preserves in‑home Medicaid services while a beneficiary’s income increases; require beneficiaries to pay increasing shares as income rises; and preserve continuity of care for individuals who would otherwise be forced to restrict work. The substitute as discussed would apply to adult beneficiaries receiving certain in‑home supports and contemplates a phased buy‑in up to a statutory cap (sponsor cited 800% of poverty as the target cap). The bill sponsor said the plan is to reduce disincentives to work while preserving needed services for daily living.

Next steps: the bill will go to the full Senate for further consideration.","A substitute to House Bill 310 would let people who earn more keep in‑home Medicaid services by paying on a sliding scale up to an upper cutoff; the committee favorably recommended the bill after testimony from a University of Utah student who said the current income cliff forces her to limit earnings.",{"_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},6313425,"Committee advances medical‑cannabis reforms, removes proposed ombudsman and adds oversight changes",1364,2361000,3725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90&start=2361&end=3725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90/thumbnail_2361000.jpg","/articles/6313425/Utah/Committee-advances-medicalcannabis-reforms-removes-proposed-ombudsman-and-adds-oversight-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313425-4e37cee8200a8da99fcb307295b63de3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136216&Signature=o-skT12hVFcoQ17mkpOvOEhd8J0S3AYGVDBgE1ZfJnS-JGNEVyompJnZCS3Taj15gMZ2~4bNSOAU~UL8Y9nrSNokT6eXQGLaEm9nos2PA5IpVNXp-BwVL~atet4zmndjkt5LGKOr4ObZMoT1mmL0aTPgYJPMQADTZ-WKuPVzt0C4zPrkxjZWuv018-kwEPMw8~YfXa9A-r9-CTLvqGYKSXPCYLPZG7Ego~ezgMOX2WhQtd6NC5BYdskNrcyibmrH0-GRrkBoSeJwJjOom2X2YrBMUdkwxFYLOM5Bv4BngMuJKKn22affxjPi6YmjIcTsFG49iaUkr3bGpc5~IwxJuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee on Feb. 20 adopted and favorably recommended a fifth substitute to House Bill 203, a package of changes intended to tighten oversight and clarify regulatory processes for Utah’s medical‑cannabis program.

Sponsor summary: the sponsor said the substitute removes a statutory medical‑cannabis ombudsman that stakeholders had not fully fleshed out and instead requires administrative-law‑judge review for appeals of citations and fines to add an objective hearing process. Other key elements include closing open licensure for processors, aligning patient‑interaction rules between processors and pharmacies, clarifying batch and manufacturing definitions, increasing reporting to legislators, and authorizing only two new pharmacies under strict criteria intended to serve medically underserved areas.

Public testimony and concerns: the hearing drew multiple public speakers in favor and opposition. Supporters included patients and industry representatives who said regulatory alignment and limited additional pharmacies would improve patient access and oversight. Opponents — including physicians and prevention groups — raised concerns about high‑potency products, diversion, youth access and whether expansion would increase availability of products to non‑patients. Testimony included a physician who cited studies on diversion, parents and youth‑service volunteers who argued the bill risked greater youth exposure, and industry speakers who described patient benefits.

Committee action: the committee adopted the fifth substitute and favorably recommended HB 203 to the full Senate. Senator Escamilla and others discussed the constraints in the substitute and urged continued stakeholder work. The committee recorded a favorable committee vote on the substitute that will send the bill to the full Senate for floor consideration.

What the substitute changes: among other items, the substitute—
- Removes a proposed medical cannabis ombudsman; requires ALJ review for citation/fine appeals;
- Closes uncontrolled processor licensing and limits processor entry;
- Aligns patient interaction rules and product labeling/consumer information between processors and pharmacies;
- Creates strict criteria and caps for two additional pharmacies to increase access in medically underserved areas;
- Increases reporting and accountability to legislators.

Next steps: the substituted bill goes to the full Senate; further amendments or floor debate are possible.","The committee passed a fifth substitute of HB 203 that removes a proposed medical‑cannabis ombudsman, tightens licensing and oversight for processors and pharmacies, creates limited new pharmacy licenses under strict conditions, and increases reporting and appeal procedures.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313429,"Committee advances broad opioid and substance-use bill with harm-reduction and enforcement changes",0,823000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90&start=823&end=823","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90/thumbnail_823000.jpg","/articles/6313429/Utah/Committee-advances-broad-opioid-and-substance-use-bill-with-harm-reduction-and-enforcement-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313429-bdfd437424dbf8415582a165bd8c442c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136216&Signature=Ruox3lSYI186Ft8Ybn3M-9CiJmaFxQoNNE5kWS0aDt~-HEBPCjXtDfXhjkjkc6HeBka13E0gBMOqEyXZVXqmFg2a5dFBc~~-2vgFZLjjPtHFRoKYKBJ1UMvxlEi7YhCtCUU6TcZJHkIgsNLmcLI4zkgSolRwIdMM4ZoVb-Yv-Vm5kUN64XYjC0WBfebzUAOZycyU-yb5f9xg6U1e3MDb4AWv0Zwg1yRXmAtbB4IecKvxniZFLRJMNjAwTi5bQ9bFv6SkunvQDyvDwWoGdHyb8jMHfUexF-h7w2qMN7iTcurX6oDpoOm8Q3Z6eJCY~GmQ4HpNlD5EFudbvJ71~UEUAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee on Feb. 20 favorably recommended House Bill 199, a comprehensive package of changes to Utah’s substance-use policy that combines harm-reduction regulation, expanded treatment options and updates to nuisance and enforcement tools.

Sponsor’s overview: the bill sponsor described HB 199 as the product of a long collaborative process intended to “hit every step of the way for our drug policy in Utah.” Key provisions spelled out in committee testimony include inserting harm-reduction pathways and mission language into statute; prohibiting supervised injection facilities; restricting delivery of needle-exchange supplies to homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing; expanding overdose-response options to link first responders to immediate treatment pathways; and piloting mobile medication‑assisted‑treatment (MAT) clinics aimed at homeless populations and rural residents.

Public and stakeholder input: Criminal-justice and harm-reduction groups testified in support. Elizabeth Kelch, criminal-justice policy director at the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ), and Stephanie Ammit of the Utah Harm Reduction Coalition said the measure improves pathways to recovery. A representative of the Cicero Institute cited national overdose trends to support the bill’s broader treatment and regulation strategies.

Committee action: Senator Plumb moved that the committee favorably recommend the second substitute of HB 199 to the full Senate. The committee voted to pass the bill favorably to the Senate; the committee record shows a unanimous committee vote in favor of the substitute as presented.

What the bill changes: among other items, HB 199—
- Adds statutory language to recognize harm reduction as a pathway to recovery and aligns program goals with best practices;
- Prohibits supervised injection sites and restricts needle-exchange delivery in certain residential settings;
- Mandates improved overdose-response linkages so first responders can offer immediate treatment options after reversal using naloxone/Narcan;
- Enables and funds mobile MAT clinics to reach homeless and rural populations;
- Updates nuisance law definitions so statutes better reflect modern drug-related disorder patterns.

Next steps: committee members advanced the second substitute with a favorable recommendation to the full Senate.

","House Bill 199, a wide-ranging substance-use policy bill covering harm reduction, expanded treatment access including mobile MAT, prohibition of supervised injection sites, needle-exchange restrictions, and updates to nuisance laws, was favorably recommended by the committee after stakeholder testimony.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313433,"Committee adopts changes to firefighter cancer presumptions, adds screening provisions",2703,648000,3351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90&start=648&end=3351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387920-c86c81457daae8cbd46b0ecf03b0cd90/thumbnail_648000.jpg","/articles/6313433/Utah/Committee-adopts-changes-to-firefighter-cancer-presumptions-adds-screening-provisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313433-35c086aa419d0ec9a47c786d6fdf2c19/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136216&Signature=ViP18n2bM4davZ7EIH~-U~87qYm5Cw0i~NQu5eeJjJnihCER1jbTWvwmS2svu7HQzoIPpahwux4qpMSFPmWu1uwMElW780Dv~1qzEI8krXpjP6dlrWbPzxjnq6QF70ftSXI3wrHIXlYI~mvysiDYXUUIbJO6Nd1GXO07WKJwHrIkA9pcjP08GIIYXXFHmXj5hx3MykmKBSwTUglVOPmxHhWYf9Vhw8PwIrAain-p8bI7qYviWYfWEsbEaERuf-mD2hjpDnevbJsi25QaRH5lwZl-FNs6mDIgBxinzAuYQLzb0Y6bCAJ7agIr4MRkQi0g6X90wG2UTQCAirz3GZqN2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee on Feb. 20 adopted a third substitute and favorably recommended House Bill 65, a measure to add cancers to Utah’s presumptive list for firefighters and to set up expanded cancer screening resources for the fire service.

The bill sponsor told the panel the measure clarifies several technical provisions: it removes an existing prescreening protocol (a stakeholder agreement), increases the fiscal note for initial prescreening, and raises the years-of-service threshold tied to presumptions from five years to eight years. The sponsor said the changes reflect stakeholder consensus and results of a review conducted with Rocky Mountain Occupational Health Center.

Why it matters: supporters said the bill responds to research and field experience showing higher cancer incidence among career firefighters and aims to provide earlier, sustainable detection and care. Jack Tidrow, president of the Professional Firefighters of Utah, told the committee the effort spans two decades and cited earlier legislative work that created the initial presumptive list.

Committee and public testimony: fire-service leaders gave personal and programmatic testimony. Clint Smith, chief of the Draper City Fire Department and president of the Utah State Fire Chiefs Association, said the proposals reflect data showing the profession’s elevated cancer risk and urged passage. Jeremy Craft, Lehi fire chief, described cancer found after screening in Arizona that would have been detected earlier had a Utah program been available. Shelby Willis, deputy chief with Ogden City Fire Department, described personal detection of thyroid cancer in a prior screening program and urged screening adoption.

Formal action: the committee adopted the third substitute for HB 65 and then voted to favorably recommend the bill to the full Senate. Senator Escamilla moved the substitution; Senator Thatcher moved the favorable recommendation. The favorable recommendation passed on a recorded voice vote in committee; committee members present voted to pass the bill to the full body.

What the bill does: adds additional cancers to the presumptive list for firefighters (the bill text lists specific cancer types), adjusts screening program details and funding for initial prescreening, and raises the service-duration threshold tied to presumptive eligibility from five to eight years. Supporters said the bill also establishes a pathway to create a screening program modeled on an Arizona center’s protocols.

Next steps: with the committee’s favorable recommendation, HB 65 will go to the full Senate for consideration.

","A Senate committee substituted and favorably recommended House Bill 65, which expands presumptive cancers for firefighters and creates larger initial screening support and a screening program modeled on an Arizona protocol.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: bills the Senate Health committee advanced on Feb. 20

Committee backs bill to create Medicaid ‘off‑ramp’ for in‑home services as earnings rise

Committee advances medical‑cannabis reforms, removes proposed ombudsman and adds oversight changes

Committee advances broad opioid and substance-use bill with harm-reduction and enforcement changes

Committee adopts changes to firefighter cancer presumptions, adds screening provisions