MINUTES OF THE
SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 12, 2026 • 8:45 a.m. • 215 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Keith Grover, Chair
Sen. Emily Buss
Sen. Luz Escamilla
Sen. Jen Plumb
Sen. Jerry W Stevenson
Sen. Keven J. Stratton

Members Absent:
President J. Stuart Adams

Staff Present:
Seth Anderson, Policy Analyst
Michele Miller, Committee Secretary

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

Chair Grover called the meeting to order at 8:46:17 AM.
1.1st Sub. H.B. 156 Blood Transfusion Amendments(Chevrier, K.)
Rep. Kristen Chevrier presented the bill.
Kristin Richey, Eagle Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
Cole Elliott, Medical Director, American Red Cross of Utah, spoke in opposition of the bill.
Michelle McOmber, CEO, Utah Medical Association, spoke to the bill.
Karen Danielson, resident, spoke in opposition of the bill.
Jenalyn Bishop, American Red Cross of Utah, spoke in opposition of the bill.
Heidi Ruster, Regional CEO, American Red Cross of Utah, spoke in opposition of the bill.
Brent Bishop, resident, spoke to the bill.
Dalane England, United Women's Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Stratton moved to pass HB0156S01 out favorably.The motion failed with a vote of 2-4-1.
Yeas - 2Nays- 4Abs- 1
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. J. Adams
Bill Announced as HB0151S01 after summation; however, Bill voted as HB0156S01 per original motion by Sen. Stratton.
2.2nd Sub. H.B. 71 Health Provider Directory and Access Amendments(Eliason, S.)
Rep. Steve Eliason presented the bill with the assistance of Cara Cheevers, Vice President of Coverage Policy, Inseparable.
MOTION:Chair Grover moved to replace HB0071S02 with HB0071S03.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. L. Escamilla
E. McKnight, League of Women Voters, spoke in favor of the bill.
Michelle McOmber, CEO, Utah Medical Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Mike Sonntag, Lobbyist, Utah Health Insurance Association spoke in opposition of the bill.
Jessica Black, Legislative Chair, Utah Mental Health Counselor Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Ross Van Vranken, Vice Chair, Policy Review Committee under the Behavioral Health Commission, spoke in favor of the bill.
Sarah Stroup, Legislative Chair, Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Chair Grover moved to pass HB0071S03 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
3.H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments(Fiefia, D.)
Rep. Fiefia presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to pass HB0108 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
4.1st Sub. H.B. 139 Female Genital Mutilation Amendments(Ballard, M.G.)
Rep. Melissa Ballard presented the bill.
Dalane England, United Women's Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to pass HB0139S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
5.H.B. 164 Patient Disclosure Amendments(Gricius, S.)
Rep. Stephanie Gricius presented the bill.
MOTION:Chair Grover moved to replace HB0164 with HB0164S01.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
MOTION:Sen. Stratton moved to pass HB0164S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
MOTION:Chair Grover moved to place HB0164S01 on the Consent Calendar.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
6.1st Sub. H.B. 264 Prescription Medication Amendments(Ward, R.)
Rep. Raymond Ward presented the bill.
Maryann Martindale, CEO, Utah Academy of Family Physicians, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Stratton moved to pass HB0264S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
7.H.B. 356 Drug Distribution Amendments(Monson, L.)
Rep. Logan Monson presented the bill.
Katelin Lucariello, Deputy Vice President, State Advocacy for PhRMA spoke in opposition of the bill.
David C. Gessel, Executive Vice President, Utah Hospital Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to pass HB0356 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
8.S.B. 175 Health Insurance Coverage Amendments(Kwan, K.)
Sen. Karen Kwan presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to replace SB0175 with SB0175S02.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sarah Stroup, Legislative Chair, Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, spoke in favor of the bill.
Tresa Long, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kristen Jacobson, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Brian Allen, Lobbyist, American Health Insurance Plans, spoke in opposition of the bill.
Michelle McOmber, CEO, Utah Medical Association, spoke in opposition of the bill.
Jessica Black, Legislative Chair, Utah Mental Health Counselor Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to pass SB0175S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-2-2.
Yeas - 3Nays- 2Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
MOTION:Sen. Stratton moved to approve the minutes for February 3, 2026.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
MOTION:Sen. Plumb moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
Chair Grove adjourned the meeting at 10:00:13 AM.