MINUTES OF THE
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • 1:15 p.m. • 30 House Building


Members Present:
Sen. Keith Grover, Chair
Rep. Katy Hall, Chair
Sen. Luz Escamilla
Sen. Jerry W Stevenson
Sen. Keven J. Stratton
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton
Rep. Bridger Bolinder
Rep. Kristen Chevrier
Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Rep. Steve Eliason
Rep. Jake Fitisemanu
Rep. Stephanie Gricius
Rep. Sandra Hollins
Rep. Logan J. Monson
Rep. Grant Pace
Rep. Raymond P. Ward

Members Absent:
President J. Stuart Adams
Rep. Nelson T. Abbott
Rep. Stewart E. Barlow

Staff Present:
Seth Anderson, Policy Analyst
Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst
Kami Orton, Associate General Counsel
Amy Shewan, Associate General Counsel
Christopher Williams, Associate General Counsel
Gabi Prior, Administrative Assistant

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

Chair Hall called the meeting to order at 1:44 p.m.
1.Committee Business
Rep. Pace introduced himself to the committee.
MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2025, meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-5.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. G. Pace
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. L. Monson
Sen. K. Stratton
1 - Meeting Outline (Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel)
Seth Anderson, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, gave an overview of the meeting outline.
2.2026 Interim Study Plan
Seth Anderson presented an overview of the 2026 proposed study items list.
Rep. Dailey-Provost asked a clarifying question.
MOTION:Rep. Monson moved to approve the interim study items list.The motion passed with a vote of 15-0-4.
Yeas - 15Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. G. Pace
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. S. Barlow
Sen. K. Stratton
MOTION:Rep. Monson moved to authorize the committee chairs to open committee bill files.The motion passed with a vote of 16-0-3.
Yeas - 16Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. G. Pace
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. Ward asked a clarifying question.
3.Sunset Reviews
3 - Sunset Reviews Overview (OLRGC)
Seth Anderson presented an overview of the sunset review process and the committee's upcoming sunset reviews.
Rep. Ward asked clarifying questions.
Rep. Eliason recommended that the chairs add time to review the Coordinating Council for Persons with Disabilities to the interim agenda.
Committee members continued to discuss sunset reviews.
4.Statutory Reports
4 - 2026 Required Reports (OLRGC)
Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, gave an overview of statutorily required reports.
5.A Performance Audit of the Utah Medical Cannabis Program
5 - A Performance Audit of the Utah Medical Cannabis Program (Office of the Legislative Auditor General)
5 - A Performance Audit of the Utah Medical Cannabis Program Presentation (OLAG)
Jesse Martinson, Audit Manager, and McKenzie Cantlon, Performance Audit Supervisor, Office of the Legislative Auditor General (OLAG), presented on A Performance Audit of the Utah Medical Cannabis Program.
Committee members asked clarifying questions.
Rep. Dailey-Provost spoke to the medical cannabis program.
Brandon Forsyth, Director, Department of Agriculture and Food Specialized Products Division, discussed the audit and answered questions from the committee.
Committee members continued to ask clarifying questions.
6.A Performance Audit of Utah's Behavioral Health Beds Along the Continuum of Care
6 - A Performance Audit of Utah's Behavioral Health Beds Along the Continuum of Care (OLAG)
6 - A Performance Audit of Utah's Behavioral Health Beds Along the Continuum of Care Presentation (OLAG)
Leah Blevins, Audit Manager, and Brendon Ressler, Lead Auditor, OLAG, presented on A Performance Audit of Utah's Behavioral Health Beds Along the Continuum of Care.
Rep. Eliason asked a clarifying question.
Rep. Ward asked a clarifying question.
Rep. Eliason spoke to Rep. Ward's question.
Committee members continued to ask clarifying questions and discuss the audit.
Rep. Eliason spoke to the recommendation to create a bed registry.
7.Healthcare Workforce - Addressing Preceptor Shortages
7 - Clinical Preceptorship Stipends Presentation (Department of Health and Human Services)
7 - Clinical Preceptor Stipend Program Recommendation (Health Workforce Advisory Council)
Heather Borski, Assistant Deputy Director, Department of Health and Human Services, and Teresa Garrett, member, Utah Health Workforce Advisory Council, presented on addressing preceptorship shortages.
Committee members asked clarifying questions and discussed the preceptorship shortage.
Lynsey Drew, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Dean, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, discussed preceptorship shortages.
8.Satellite Emergency Department Review
8 - Satellite Emergency Department Review Presentation (DHHS)
Shannon Thoman-Black, Director, Division of Licensing and Background Checks, and Florencia Shapira, Director of Licensing, Utah Hospital Association, presented on the status of satellite emergency departments and compliance with the provisions of 2025 General Session H.B. 152, "Health Care Facilities Amendments."
Committee members asked clarifying questions.
Dave Gessel, Executive Vice President, Utah Hospital Association, spoke to the compliance concerns regarding satellite emergency departments.
Rep. Gricius spoke to providers who have remained out of compliance.
Chair Hall spoke to satellite emergency department requirements and compliance.
Shannon Thoman-Black clarified the Division of Licensing and Background Check's involvement in satellite emergency departments' compliance with the provisions of H.B. 152, "Health Care Facilities Amendments."
Committee members continued to ask clarifying questions and discuss satellite emergency departments.
9.Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services
9 - Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Presentation (Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services)
Marvin Dodge, Commissioner, Department of Government Operations, and Nate Checketts, Inspector General of Medicaid Services, Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services, presented a brief overview of the Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services.
Rep. Ward asked a clarifying question.
10.Other Items/Adjourn
MOTION:Rep. Acton moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-11.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 11
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. G. Pace
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Gricius
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
Chair Hall adjourned the meeting at 4:04 p.m.