Utah Legislative Session is in Full Swing

The 2022 Utah state legislative session started on January 18. Session is usually an intense 45 days, and we anticipate this year will be no different. It’s vital that during this time you connect with your lawmakers to raise your voice on critical issues. We will provide you with ways to make an impact. Your emails and phone calls are more important than ever. If you don’t know who your legislators are just click here and enter your address to find out.

We are focusing on three priority issues:

1. Tobacco Retail Licensure: Strong tobacco retail licensure laws can help ensure that retailers do not sell tobacco products to individuals younger than 21 years old. By holding retailers accountable, it incentivizes retailers to train and enforce employees complying with federal, state, and local laws.
   
   
2. Restoring funding for the CPR Training in Schools program: In 2014, we passed legislation that required high school health classes offer CPR training and we made sure funds were allocated in the state budget to cover the cost of providing the training. However, during the 2021 legislative session, that funding was cut. We will be requesting that the $200,000 that was allocated in the past to train an estimated 33,000 students be restored. In addition to that, we are requesting a separate $200,000 to replace outdated equipment. We believe it is crucial to restore this funding so that this lifesaving training can continue to be offered without added expenses to schools.
   
   
3. Extending Postpartum Medicaid coverage: Currently, Utah’s coverage for mothers ends 60 days after giving birth. Many health complications, including those related to heart health, have been known to show themselves in that first-year post pregnancy. We believe it would benefit both mothers and children to extend that coverage to a full year.

Certainly, other issues may come up as well, and we will make sure we keep you informed.  We hope we can count on your support throughout session.