MINUTES OF THE
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 • 1:15 p.m. • 30 House Building


Members Present:
Sen. Michael S. Kennedy, Chair
Rep. Ken Ivory, Chair
Sen. Heidi Balderree
Sen. Luz Escamilla
Rep. Nelson T. Abbott
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton
Rep. Stewart E. Barlow
Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Rep. Steve Eliason
Rep. Sandra Hollins
Rep. Tim Jimenez
Rep. Marsha Judkins
Rep. Rosemary T. Lesser
Rep. Anthony E. Loubet
Rep. Robert M. Spendlove
Rep. Raymond P. Ward
Rep. Christine F. Watkins

Members Absent:
President J. Stuart Adams
Sen. Evan J. Vickers

Staff Present:
Seth Anderson, Policy Analyst
Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst
Greg Gunn, Associate General Counsel
Alan Houston, Associate General Counsel
Christopher Williams, Associate General Counsel
Shay Berger, Administrative Assistant

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

Chair Kennedy called the meeting to order.
1.Committee Business
MOTION:Rep. Watkins moved to approve the minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-8.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 8
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. H. Balderree
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. R. Lesser
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. N. Abbott
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. A. Loubet
Rep. R. Spendlove
Sen. E. Vickers
2.Government Response to Public Health Emergencies
2.1 Lessons Learned: Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccine (Source: Aaron Siri)
Aaron Siri, Managing Partner, Siri & Glimstad LLP, presented on government response to public health emergencies.
Committee members asked clarifying questions throughout the presentation.
Brianne Dressen, Saratoga Springs resident, spoke to the presentation.
Gopi Krishna, Medical Professional, spoke to the presentation.
Bryon Tarbet, PhD, spoke to the presentation.
Laura Munsen, Retired ER Nurse, spoke to the presentation.
Kenneth Oliver, Chiropractic Physician, spoke to the presentation.
Laurie Gagan, Holistic Health Practitioner, spoke to the presentation.
Mary Williams spoke to the presentation.
MOTION:Rep. Ivory moved to open a committee bill file to address vaccine confidence.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to open a bill file to ensure an informational campaign occurs before a vaccine mandate.The substitute motion failed with a vote of 6-10-3.
Yeas - 6Nays- 10Abs- 3
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. M. Judkins
Rep. R. Lesser
Rep. R. Spendlove
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. H. Balderree
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. T. Jimenez
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. A. Loubet
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. C. Watkins
The original motion passed with a vote 11-5-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 5Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. H. Balderree
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. A. Loubet
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. R. Lesser
Rep. R. Spendlove
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. C. Watkins
3.Transgender Treatment for Minors
3.5 SB 16 Statutory Provisions (Source: OLRGC)
Chris Williams, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, presented an overview of SB 16.
3.1 SB16 (2023) Transgender Medical Treatments and Procedures Amendments Progress Report (Source: DHHS)
Michelle Hofmann, Executive Medical Director, Department of Health and Human Services, presented the Transgender Medical Treatments and Procedures Amendments Progress Report.
3.25 SB 16 Transgender Medical Treatments Certification Clarification (Source: DOPL)
Mark Steinagel, Director, Division of Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, presented on the Division of Professional Licensing's implementation of SB16 .
Leor Sapir, Fellow, Manhattan Institute, presented on recent studies related to transgender treatment for minors and the Cass Review.
Committee members asked clarifying questions of the presenter.
3.4 Cass Report: Calls for Action (Source: Equality Utah)
Marina Lowe, Policy Director, Equality Utah, and Lisa Diamond, Developmental Psychologist, presented on the transgender treatment for minors and the Cass Review.
Committee members asked clarifying questions of the presenters.
4.Statutory Reports
Lisa Sorenson, Policy Analyst, Legislative Research and General Counsel, provided a brief overview of statutory reports and updates to the report submission process.
MOTION:Rep. Eliason moved to open a committee bill file to amend provisions related to correctional health services in aneffort to reduce recidivism and improve access to behavioral health programs for incarcerated individuals. The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-5.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. H. Balderree
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. R. Lesser
Rep. A. Loubet
Rep. R. Spendlove
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. C. Watkins
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Hollins
Sen. E. Vickers
MOTION:Rep. Watkins moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-5.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Sen. H. Balderree
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. K. Ivory
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Judkins
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. R. Lesser
Rep. A. Loubet
Rep. R. Spendlove
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. C. Watkins
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Hollins
Sen. E. Vickers