Public Policy                                                                                                       

Childcare Legislative Bill Tracker (Voices for Utah Children)

School Readiness Resources (Appropriations Request by Promise Partnership Utah): Utah’s High-Quality School Readiness (HQSR) program, the state’s preschool initiative, currently receives $6 million each from state and federal funds. However, demand far outpaces these resources. Last year, high-quality providers sought double the funding available ($24MM) to provide resources for students from underrepresented communities, but only half of their request ($12MM) could be allocated. To address this gap, a funding request has been proposed to increase the program's budget by $5 million. 

S.B. 189 - Child Care Services Amendments (Sen. Escamilla and Rep. Spendlove): This legislation proposes a pilot program in Salt Lake County to repurpose unused state-owned buildings into child care centers. This public-private partnership would enable local employers to collaborate with child care providers to offer services directly to their employees. Under the plan, 60% of the child care slots would be allocated to employees of participating businesses, while the other 40% would serve children from low-income households, state employees, and military families. 

H.B. 389 - Child Care Business Tax Credit (Rep. Thompson): Enacts an income tax credit for employer-provided care. 20% for contracting with a childcare provider and 50% for constructing a separate childcare facility. 

H. B. 410 - Child Care Amendments (Rep. Miller): This bill provides that the time employed as a preschool teacher in a childcare program is equivalent to the time employed in a public school or accredited private school for the purposes of relicensing.  In addition, it authorizes the use of housing and transit reinvestment zone funds to include expansion of childcare facilities within the zone.

S.B. 0024 - Child Abuse and Torture Amendments (Sen. Ipson and Rep. Wilcox): This bill creates a new criminal offense for child torture and provides penalties. It also adds the offense of child torture to the list of offenses for which imprisonment is mandatory. Child torture will be added as a registrable offense of the Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry. The Child Sexual Abuse Spoke supports this bill.

H.B. 0066 – Ritual Abuse Amendments (Rep. Ivory): This bill requires law enforcement training on understanding how perpetrators of sexual assault/abuse can use sexual assault/abuse during a ritual, as that term is defined in Section 76-3-203.19, and the impacts of that sexual assault and sexual abuse on a victim. This bill also creates an aggravating factor for certain offenses committed against a child or minor if the sentencing court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant committed the offense as part of, or to facilitate, a ritual or a training or practice to perform a ritual. The Child Sexual Abuse Spoke supports this bill that will require more education and training on the specific trauma associated with ritual abuse.

H.B. 0117 – Sexual Abuse Statutes of Limitation Amendments (Rep. Ivory): This bill extends the civil statutes of limitation for child sexual abuse cases, giving victims more time to pursue legal action. The Child Sexual Abuse Spoke supports this bill to empower survivors with more time and opportunity to take legal action.

H.B. 13 – Sexual Extortion Amendments (Rep. Wilcox): This bill amends the crime of sexual extortion to include the act of threatening to distribute a counterfeit intimate image. The Child Sexual Abuse Spoke supports this amendment that addresses a new threat to children’s safety, which is the rise of AI generated counterfeit images.

H.B. 377 - Sexual Offense Amendments (Rep. Romero): This bill modifies what actions or omissions do not demonstrate consent with regard to certain sexual offenses. This amendment notes that, “While silence, lack of protest, or lack of resistance are among circumstances that may be considered in determining whether consent was given, silence, lack of protest, or lack of resistance alone do not demonstrate consent.” The Child Sexual Abuse Spoke supports this amendment that will help protect victims who freeze in fright and may not explicitly deny consent.

H.B. 33 - Child Welfare Reporting Amendments (Rep. Watkins): This bill requires the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to notify law enforcement when the division determines that a person knowingly made a false report of child abuse or neglect. The Child Sexual Abuse Spoke is not in favor of this bill as it can be a barrier that prevents people reporting suspected child abuse.

H.B. 15 - Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Task Force Amendments (Rep. Romero and Sen. Hinkins): This bill reestablishes the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Task Force to address issues related to missing and murdered Indigenous individuals. It defines terms, establishes a nine-member task force composed of government and community representatives, and outlines appointment and vacancy procedures. The bill designates Senate and House appointees as co-chairs, sets quorum and decision-making requirements, and details compensation for members. It also mandates staff support from the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, specifies the task force’s responsibilities, and requires a report to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee. The task force will be dissolved after completing its work.

H.B. 17 - Limitations on the Use of Polygraphs (Rep. Romero and Sen. Escamilla): This bill restricts the use of polygraphs on victims of sexual offenses. It defines relevant terms, establishes limitations on administering polygraph tests to victims, and includes technical and conforming changes to existing statutes.

H.B. 66 - Ritual Abuse Amendments (Rep. Ivory and Sen. Plumb): This bill enhances legal responses to ritual abuse by requiring law enforcement training on sexual assault committed during rituals and its impact on victims. It also establishes an aggravating factor for certain offenses committed against individuals under 18 if the crime occurred as part of a ritual. Additionally, the bill includes technical and conforming changes to existing statutes.

H.B. 125 - Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Amendments (Rep. Romero): This bill reestablishes the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Task Force to address issues related to missing and murdered Indigenous individuals. It defines terms, establishes a nine-member task force composed of government and community representatives, and outlines appointment and vacancy procedures. The bill designates Senate and House appointees as co-chairs, sets quorum and decision-making requirements, and details compensation for members. It also mandates staff support from the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, specifies the task force’s responsibilities, and requires a report to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee. The task force will be repealed after completing its work.

S.B. 24 - Child Abuse and Torture Amendments (Sen. Ipson and Rep. Wilcox): This bill establishes a new criminal offense for child torture and outlines associated penalties. It mandates imprisonment for those convicted and revises definitions related to child abuse and aggravated child abuse. The bill also modifies statutes concerning child abandonment, abuse of children with disabilities, and other related offenses. Additionally, it incorporates child torture into laws addressing background checks, murder, child abuse homicide, bigamy, custody, and adoption. The bill classifies child torture as a violent felony and a registrable offense on the Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry. It further amends the juvenile code to align definitions of serious injury with criminal child abuse statutes while making technical and conforming changes.

S.B. 45 - Juvenile Court Procedures Amendments (Sen. Weiler and Rep. Abbott): This bill clarifies procedures for modifying orders of permanent custody and guardianship. It defines circumstances under which a parent may file a petition for modification and determines whether jurisdiction remains with a district or juvenile court. The bill also requires a juvenile court to order a parent to file an order of permanent custody and guardianship with the district court in certain cases. Additionally, it includes technical and conforming changes to existing statutes.

S.B. 68 - Child Welfare Worker Protections (Sen. Vickers and Rep. Clancy): This bill enhances legal protections for child welfare workers by separating the crime of assault or threat of violence against them into two distinct offenses. It expands the definition of assault to include acts committed against a family member of a child welfare worker. Additionally, it revises statutory requirements for threats against child welfare workers to include threats made against their family members. The bill also includes technical and conforming changes to existing statutes.

S.B. 83 - Law Enforcement Policy Requirements (Sen. Weiler and Rep. Clancy): This bill mandates that law enforcement agencies establish and maintain policies for handling investigations related to violations of stalking injunctions, jail release agreements, jail release court orders, and protective orders. It also defines relevant terms to ensure clarity in enforcement and procedural standards.

S.B. 98 - Parental Education on Student Use of Technology Amendments (Sen. Wilson and Rep. Peterson): This bill requires the State Board of Education to create a video presentation for parents addressing potential safety and legal concerns related to student technology use. The presentation will be made available to school districts to share with parents. The bill also includes a sunset provision and makes technical and conforming changes to existing statutes.

S.B. 123 - Criminal Protective Order Amendments (Sen. Pitcher): This bill requires courts to include specific provisions in criminal pretrial protective orders to address utility services for a victim’s residence. It also includes technical and conforming changes to existing statutes.

HB 178 - Noncitizen Health Insurance Policies Amendments (Rep. Walter): This bill amends Utah Code relating to health insurance for certain noncitizens, seeking to eliminate the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Removing alternative eligibility for otherwise ineligible children.

HB 294 - Infectious Disease Procedures Amendments (Rep. MacPherson, Sen. Harper): This bill amends Utah Code to prohibit the issuance of orders of constraints by health departments and requires certain entities and places of public accommodation to provide accommodation related to face coverings — accommodating individuals choosing not to wear masks. This bill also limits restriction orders to individuals instead of groups. If passed, this bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.

HB 152 - Health Care Facilities Amendments (Rep. Hall, Sen. Grover): Sponsored by Representative Katy Hall, this bill establishes requirements for freestanding emergency departments across the state. This bill limits the number of satellite emergency departments a health organization can operate, and establishes requirements for certain satellite emergency departments. If passed, this bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.

SB 69 – Medication Amendments (Sen. Vickers, Rep. Eliason): This bill prohibits a pharmaceutical manufacturer from directly or indirectly restricting or prohibiting a pharmacy from contracting with a 340B agency, require a 340B entity to purchase a 340B drug from a supplier if the manufacturer would otherwise permit the 340B entity to purchase a drug that is not 340B from the supplier, and interfere with a contract between a pharmacy and a 340B entity (etc.). This bill permits the Public Employees' Benefit and Insurance Program to adjust its business12practices to mitigate any resulting financial impacts. If passed, this bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.

S.B. 73 - Statewide Initiatives Amendments (Sen. Fillmore, Rep. Kyle): This bill adds budget and publication requirements to ballot initiatives.

This bill amends Utah Code to modify requirements for a statewide initiative application and a fiscal impact statement in relation to funding a law proposed by initiative, and requires initiative petition sponsors to publish the initiative application in the same manner required for publication of a proposed constitutional amendment, and prohibits submission of an initiative, or counting votes cast for or against an initiative, if the sponsors of the initiative petition fail to comply with the publication requirement. If passed, this bill takes effect on May 7, 2025 and January 1, 2027.

H.B. 233 - School Curriculum Amendments (Rep. Nicholeen, Sen. Sandall): This bill prohibits a local education agency from allowing entities that perform elective abortions to provide health-related instruction or materials in public schools, restricting certain agencies from involvement in health education in public schools. If passed, this bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

H.B. 300 - Amendments to Election Law (Rep. Burton, Sen. McKell): This bill amends Utah Code to end vote-by-mail by preventing ballots from being returned by mail. This bill appropriates $2,000,000 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2026 from the General Fund. If passed, this bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.

H.B. 63 – Criminal Justice and Mental Health Coordination Amendments (Rep. Dailey-Provost, Sen. Escamilla): This bill requires local mental health authorities to provide consultation and education services concerning certain options for individuals experiencing mental health crises, and requires the Behavioral Health Crisis Response Committee to prepare a proposal for a pilot program designed to improve outcomes for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

H.B. 314 – Breast Cancer Prevention Modifications (Rep. Dailey-Provost): This bill amends Utah Code and prohibits a health benefit plan from implementing a cost-sharing requirement for certain breast examinations that detect breast cancer. A health benefit plan that provides benefits with respect to diagnostic breast examinations or supplemental breast examinations may not require an enrollee to pay a cost-sharing requirement for a diagnostic breast examination or a supplemental breast examination. A diagnostic breast examination or a supplemental breast examination is medically necessary if the examination is provided in accordance with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines.

Utah System of Higher Education - 2025 Legislative Updates (Week 7)

This spoke is not working on or supporting specific pubic poilcies during the 2025 legislative session. 

Sexual Assault Prevention Funding Request (Rep. Clancy): This request is for $3.25 million in ongoing state funding to support sexual assault prevention through Utah’s 13 rape crisis centers and community organizations. This funding will sustain programs that teach healthy relationships, equip families to prevent sexual violence, and address the loss of critical federal funding. The Sexual Assault Spoke supports this prevention funding. 

Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline Funding Request (Sen. Plumb): We are in need of $300,000 of ongoing state funding for the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA) to maintain the 24/7 statewide sexual assault helplines, providing free, confidential support and resources to survivors, professionals, and others affected by sexual violence. The Sexual Assault Spoke supports this helpline funding request. 

FeMR Funding Increase Request (Rep. Clancy):  UCASA is requesting a $15,500 funding increase to support FeMR, Utah's statewide medical forensic record system, and required cyber insurance. This ensures continued secure storage of forensic records, enhanced case documentation, and streamlined access for law enforcement and labs. The Sexual Assault Spoke supports this funding increase request. 

H.B. 17 - Limitations on the Use of Polygraphs (Rep. Romero): This bill limits the use of a polygraph on a victim of a sexual offense. The Sexual Assault Spoke supports this limitation.

This spoke is not working on or supporting specific pubic poilcies during the 2025 legislative session.