All Roll Calls
Yes: 140 • No: 0
UtahS.B. 212025 General SessionSenateWALLET
Long-Term Disability Amendments
Sponsored By: Wayne A. Harper (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Public Retirement and InsurancePublic Employees' Health ProgramPublic Employees Insurance and BenefitsPublic Employees Long-term Disabilities Benefits
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Full-salary disability benefits with strict limits
Qualifying Utah public employees get ongoing monthly disability benefits equal to 100% of regular salary, subject to reductions and time limits. Eligibility requires total disability from a medically proven impairment caused by external physical force or violence while performing job duties. The employee must also have received workers’ compensation wage-loss benefits for that impairment. Mental impairments qualify during July 1, 2023–June 30, 2026, only for state employees and participating employers’ employees without an opt-out. Afterward, ongoing disability generally requires a physical impairment, but employees with total disability during the pilot remain eligible for mental-impairment review.
Disability benefits for volunteer emergency medical workers
Beginning July 1, 2025, Utah’s public employee disability program administers a basic long-term disability benefit for volunteer emergency medical workers. A separate state law sets the benefit’s terms. This provision does not state a payment amount or formula.
Public employees gain disability review protections
Utah’s disability office cannot consider unrelated conditions when reviewing a public employee’s own-occupation disability claim. This protection also covers a new intervening cause or new diagnosis arising during that benefit period. The own-occupation period covers the three-month waiting period and the first 24 months.
Public employee disability benefits exclude certain causes
Beginning July 1, 2025, Utah’s public employee program denies monthly disability benefits for total disability directly caused by listed conduct. The list includes self-inflicted injury, substance abuse or misuse including alcohol, illicit drug use, and aggression by the employee. It also includes committing or attempting a felony or another illegal act. The exclusion applies only when the listed conduct is a legally direct cause of the total disability.
Stricter disability checks for public employees
Utah public employees need a physician’s diagnosis of both the impairment and its cause, backed by accepted medical tests or findings. Reported symptoms alone are not enough, and the disability office can request more information or an exam by its chosen doctor. The office assesses disability as of its decision date, considering only impairments that were disabling on the disability start date. It must review ongoing eligibility when the 24-month own-occupation period ends or an employee claims ongoing benefits. For covered employees eligible for retirement service credit, monthly benefits end on the date total disability ends.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Wayne A. Harper
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Cheryl K. Acton
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/13/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 70 • No: 0
House vote • 2/7/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/28/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 28 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/27/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 29 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/23/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2025Senate/ to Governor
3/12/2025SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2025SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/6/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/6/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/17/2025Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
2/17/2025Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
2/14/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
2/14/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/13/2025HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
2/13/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/13/2025HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/13/2025HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/10/2025HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/10/2025HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/7/2025HouseHouse/ to standing committee
2/5/2025HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
1/29/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
1/28/2025HouseSenate/ to House
1/28/2025SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
1/28/2025SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
1/28/2025SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
1/27/2025SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
1/27/2025SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
1/24/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/6/2025
Introduced
12/18/2024