Pediatric Care Amendments

Stronger emergency care rules for Utah children

Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah general acute hospital emergency departments open 24 hours daily must follow new children's care rules. Satellite emergency departments are included. Evidence-based policies must cover triage, vital signs, weights recorded in kilograms, medicine doses, child-sized equipment, and age-appropriate care. Departments must train staff annually, including hands-on equipment simulations suited to each worker's license and role. They must hold emergency drills at least every six months. Each department must name a licensed doctor, physician assistant, registered nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse as its coordinator. The coordinator oversees policies, compliance with care standards, and training. Departments must complete National Pediatric Readiness Project assessments on the Project's schedule. Results are due to the Utah Bureau of Emergency Medical Services by December 31 of the assessment year. In years without an official assessment, departments may voluntarily use the Project's Open Assessment. The Bureau must collect overall scores and may publish combined score data. It must set minimum standards for immediate access to child-specific equipment and supplies, staff training, quality checks, and reporting. The law shifts $278,000 in ongoing General Fund money within the Department of Public Safety to pediatric readiness grants. This leaves total department funding unchanged in fiscal year 2027. For that year—July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027—the department must directly award $278,000 to the Utah Pediatric Trauma Network.