All Roll Calls
Yes: 121 • No: 0
UtahH.B. 4722026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Division of Licensing and Background Checks Amendments
Sponsored By: Anthony E. Loubet (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Health and Human ServicesOffice of Licensing and Background Checks
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
MAT access protected in treatment programs
Beginning May 6, 2026, recovery residences and residential treatment programs cannot reject someone just for using medication assisted treatment (MAT). If a licensed prescriber recommends MAT, clients can keep taking it while in care. Medicaid contracts with these programs must require them to follow this rule. Programs that do not comply can face Medicaid sanctions.
Audits and possible local funding holds
Effective May 6, 2026, the department can audit how local health and service agencies use public funds. Agencies must provide information the department needs. If an audit finds failures to follow law, policy, or contracts, the department may issue directives and withhold funds while working to keep services running. This increases accountability but can temporarily affect local service funding.
State system of care for families
Beginning May 6, 2026, the department develops a statewide system of care for children and families, if funded. It centralizes operations, guides funding, matches data, and sets performance measures. The department may share relevant data with the Office of Families, but only as allowed by state and federal law and limited to the Office’s duties. These steps aim to make services easier to navigate while keeping privacy rules in place.
Accredited intercountry adoption providers
Effective May 6, 2026, the department can accredit agencies and people to provide intercountry adoption services. Accreditation follows state law requirements. This gives families a clear, accredited path for intercountry adoption.
Better child-welfare tracking and foster checks
Beginning May 6, 2026, the department builds a case‑tracking system for child and family plans. It stores review dates, counts of plan failures, and how long plans have been in place. Caseworkers get alerts about deadlines. For foster parent licensure and monitoring, caseworkers and the licensing division get each child’s full history, including custody episodes and abuse or neglect findings.
New state licensing division and oversight
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah creates a Division of Licensing and Background Checks to run licensing and background screening. Child‑placing agencies can be investigated and have licenses suspended or revoked for violations. People applying to open a residential treatment program must first notify the city or county and include proof of notice with the license application. These steps strengthen oversight and local transparency.
Stronger privacy for child welfare data
Starting May 6, 2026, child welfare and licensing records are tightly limited and protected. The licensing system may hold only specific items, such as names tied to supported findings, pending investigations, and certain court findings. Only authorized users can access these systems, and they must use security safeguards and training. It is illegal to ask someone to get or release licensing data without legal authority, and knowing violations carry criminal penalties.
Annual license fee for recovery homes
Beginning May 6, 2026, recovery residences must pay an annual state licensing fee. The Office of Licensing sets the amount to cover licensing and inspection costs, under state fee rules. The fee is deposited as a dedicated credit and used only for those costs.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Anthony E. Loubet
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Derrin R. Owens
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 26 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
Senate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 67 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/18/2026House/ to Governor
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/6/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/6/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/4/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar
2/27/2026SenateSenate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation
2/27/2026Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/27/2026Senate/ to standing committee
2/25/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/23/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/13/2026HouseHouse/ comm rpt/ substituted
2/13/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/6/2026
Substitute #1
2/12/2026
Introduced
2/3/2026
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