MINUTES OF THE
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 • 1:15 p.m. • 30 House Building


Members Present:
Sen. Michael S. Kennedy, Chair
Rep. Merrill F. Nelson, Chair
President J. Stuart Adams
Sen. Jacob L. Anderegg
Sen. Luz Escamilla
Sen. Evan J. Vickers
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton
Rep. Stewart E. Barlow
Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Rep. Steve Eliason
Rep. Suzanne Harrison
Rep. Sandra Hollins
Rep. Marsha Judkins
Rep. Kelly B. Miles
Rep. Karen M. Peterson
Rep. Candice B. Pierucci
Rep. Robert M. Spendlove
Rep. Raymond P. Ward

Staff Present:
Seth Anderson, Policy Analyst
Mark D. Andrews, Policy Analyst
Victoria Ashby, Associate General Counsel
Daniel M. Cheung, Associate General Counsel
Christopher Williams, Associate General Counsel
Naomi Garrow, Administrative Assistant

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m.
1.Committee Business
MOTION:Rep. Miles moved to approve the minutes of the September 21, 2022, meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-4.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Spendlove
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Anderegg
Rep. S. Harrison
Sen. E. Vickers
Alan Houston, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, introduced himself to the committee.
2.Treatment of Gender Dysphoria in Minors
2.1 Sex Characteristic Surgical Procedures (Source: Sen. Kennedy)
Sen. Kennedy presented draft legislation requested by the committee "Treatment of Gender Dysphoria in Minors" and answered questions from the committee.
Christopher Williams, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, provided information in response to committee questions.
Rep. Miles made a point of order: He asked whether questions by committee members should be directed through the chair. The chair ruled that they should.
Committee questions continued.
Rep. Pierucci raised a point of order: She said that a comment made about the committee was degrading and demeaning and that the committee "should stick to debating the merits and asking questions of the bill."
Chair Nelson allowed one final question on the issue.
Chair Nelson announced that the committee would take public comment.
Marina Lowe, Policy Director, Equality Utah, spoke in opposition to the bill.
John Andrew Armstrong spoke in opposition to the bill.
Skyler spoke in opposition to the bill.
Sue Robbins spoke in opposition to the bill.
Allie Matthews spoke in opposition to the bill.
Daniella Crockett, Social Media Director, Davis County Pride, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Chair Nelson closed public comment.
Mark Andrews, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, responded to a procedural question by Sen. Anderegg.
MOTION:Rep. Ward made a motion to move to the next item on the agenda and spoke to the motion.
Sen. Kennedy opposed the motion.
Rep. Ward withdrew the motion.
MOTION:Rep. Pierucci moved that the committee favorably recommend "Sex Characteristic Surgical Procedures" (2023FL0759/004).The motion passed with a vote of 12-5-1.
Yeas - 12Nays- 5Abs- 1
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Anderegg
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Rep. R. Spendlove
3.Sunset Review - Behavioral Health Crisis Response Commission
3.1 Behavioral Health Crisis Response Commission Amendments (Source: Sen. Kennedy)
Sen. Kennedy presented draft legislation requested by the committee "Behavioral Health Crisis Response Commission Amendments" and answered questions from the committee.
Sen. Escamilla declared a conflict of interest, stating that she is one of the members of the Behavioral Health Crisis Response Commission mentioned in lines 78 through 82 of the draft legislation.
MOTION:Chair Nelson made a motion to move to the next agenda item.The motion passed with a vote of 16-0-2.
Yeas - 16Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Anderegg
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. S. Hollins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. M. Judkins
Rep. R. Spendlove
4.Committee Business
MOTION:Sen. Anderegg moved to open a committee bill file to facilitate the recodification and consolidation of the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services, to be addressed in the November 2022 Health and Human Services Interim Committee meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 17-0-1.
Yeas - 17Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Anderegg
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. R. Spendlove
5.Sunset Review - Assisted Living Facility Transfers
4.1 DRAFT COMMITTEE LEGISLATION: Long Term Care Ombudsman Amendments (Source: Rep. Eliason)
4.2 Sunset Overview -- Assisted Living Facility Transfers (Source: OLRGC)
4.3 Sunset Report -- Assisted Living Facility Transfers (Source: DHHS)
Rep. Eliason presented draft legislation requested by the committee "Long Term Care Ombudsman Amendments" and answered questions from the committee.
MOTION:Rep. Judkins moved to favorably recommend "Long Term Care Ombudsman Amendments" (2023FL0761/005).The motion passed with a vote of 16-0-2.
Yeas - 16Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. J. Anderegg
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. R. Spendlove
6.Sunset Review - Utah Marriage Commission Dedicated Credits
5.1 Sunset Overview -- Marriage Commission Dedicated Credits (Source: OLRGC)
5.2 Sunset Report -- Utah Marriage Dedicated Credits (Source: Utah Marriage Commission)
Christopher Williams, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, provided background for the committee's sunset review of Utah Code Subsection 63J-1-602.2(6).
Rep. Ballard, Chair of the Utah Marriage Commission, provided clarifying information regarding the sunset and answered questions from the committee.
Dr. Brian Higginbotham, Associate Vice President, Utah State University Extension, and USU administrative liaison with the Utah Marriage Commission, spoke to the sunset review and answered questions from the committee.
Christopher Williams provided clarifying information and answered additional questions from the committee.
MOTION:Sen. Anderegg made a motion to open a committee bill file to make the dedicated credits to the Utah Marriage Commission non-lapsing.
Sen. Anderegg asked a question in the motion and Dr. Higginbotham responded.
The motion passed with a vote 14-0-4.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. J. Anderegg
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. R. Spendlove
7.Medicaid - Adult Dental Coverage
6.1 Medicaid Dental Waiver Amendments (Source: Sen. Vickers)
6.2 Medicaid Adult Dental Program Handout (Source: Rep. Eliason)
Sen. Vickers presented draft legislation "Medical Dental Care Amendments."
MOTION:Rep. Pierucci moved to amend line 113 to change "65%" to "55%".The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-5.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. J. Anderegg
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. R. Spendlove
MOTION:Rep. Pierucci moved to favorably recommend "Medical Dental Waiver Amendments" (2023FL0347/002) as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-5.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. J. Anderegg
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. R. Spendlove
8.Medical Cannabis Governance Structure Working Group - Report
7.1 Recommendations from Medical Cannabis Governance Structure Working Group (Source: OLRGC)
Sen. Vickers and Rep. Brooks presented the recommendations of the Medical Cannabis Governance Structure Working Group.
MOTION:Rep. Ward moved to open a committee bill file to implement the recommendations of the Medical Cannabis Governance Structure Working Group report.The motion passed with a vote of 15-0-3.
Yeas - 15Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. J. Anderegg
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. R. Spendlove
Sen. Vickers suggested that Rep. Brooks sponsor the bill to implement the recommendations.
9.State Plan on Aging Legislation
8.1 Utah Commission on Aging '21-'22 Annual Report (Source: UCOA)
8.2 Utah Master Plan for Aging Presentation (Source: UCOA)
8.3 Master Plan on Aging (Source: Rep. Kwan)
Rep. Kwan made introductory comments.
Rob Ence, Director, Utah Commission on Aging, discussed the rationale for requiring a master plan on aging.
Rep. Kwan presented draft legislation "Master Plan on Aging."
Rob Ence answered clarifying questions from the committee.
Chair Nelson opened the committee to public comment.
Nels Homgren, Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services, spoke in favor of the legislation.
Chair Nelson closed public comment.
MOTION:Rep. Dailey-Provost moved to favorably recommend "Master Plan on Aging" (2023FL0593/004).The motion failed with a vote of 11-3-4.
Yeas - 11Nays- 3Abs- 4
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. J. Anderegg
Sen. M. Kennedy
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Spendlove
10.Medicaid - Mental Healthcare for Adults
Rep. Judkins discussed the need for additional supports for adults experiencing serious mental illness.
MOTION:Rep. Judkins moved to open a committee bill file to apply for a Medicaid waiver to provide community supports for adults experiencing serious mental illness.The motion failed with a vote of 11-2-5.
Yeas - 11Nays- 2Abs- 5
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Anderegg
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Spendlove
11.Adjourn
MOTION:Rep. Pierucci moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-8.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 8
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. S. Harrison
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. M. Nelson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Anderegg
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Spendlove
Sen. E. Vickers
Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 3:57 p.m.