Today wraps up week 2 of the 2022 Legislative session! Our team is working hard tracking bills and advocating for legislation that advances reproductive freedom.
Be sure you are following all our priority bills on our 2022 bill tracker. We update this daily so you can stay informed during our fast-paced legislative session.
Now here’s what you need to know this week:
HB 162 – Period Products for Schools
Sponsor: Rep. Karianne Lisonbee
This bill requires all Utah school boards to provide period products in school facilities. According to the Period Project, who is advocating for this bill, school-age girls are at the highest risk for mis- or under-managed menstruation as almost ALL begin their periods before they are able to legally work (90 percent menstruate by age 13), and they rarely have control over family finances or the ability to drive to a store to purchase period products. Lack of access to period products leads to missed school, health risks, lower confidence, shame, embarrassment, and missing out on myriad beneficial programs thoughtfully put in place for students.
The bill was heard in the House Education Committee this week and passed unanimously. It will now go to the full House for a vote.
TAKE ACTION: Contact your Representative and ask them to VOTE YES on HB 162 – Period Products for Schools. Find your representative at le.utah.gov.
SB 105 – Family Planning Services Amendments
Sponsor: Sen. Derek Kitchen
You may remember this bill from last year – sometimes bills take several tries before they pass. We are grateful for Senator Kitchen’s perseverance on this issue! This bill would expand Medicaid coverage for contraception to Utahns who fall in the coverage gap and who earn 250% or below the Federal Poverty Level. This bill would have a huge impact on thousands of low-income Utahns who currently do not have access to health insurance and don’t qualify for traditional Medicaid.
Check out our bill tracker for more information and talking points about this bill.
TAKE ACTION: Contact the members of the Senate Business & Labor Committee and ask them to VOTE YES on SB 105! You can find all members of the committee on this page; click each of their names to find their contact information.
HB 92 – Medical Practice Amendments
Sponsor: Rep. Rex Shipp
This unconstitutional anti-trans bill makes it unprofessional conduct for a health care professional to provide gender-affirming health care for a minor. This bill would prohibit transgender children from accessing medical care. Transgender children, like any children, have the best chance to thrive when they are supported and can get the health care they need. This bill would take that away from transgender youth in Utah. To learn more about this bill, check out Equality Utah’s fact sheet.
TAKE ACTION: Contact the House Health and Human Services Committee and ask them to VOTE NO on HB 92 – Medical Practice Amendments.
Before you take action this week, here are some tips to keep in mind when contacting legislators:
- Emails and texts are best during the session but keep them brief.
- If you are contacting your legislator, be sure to say you are a constituent.
- Keep your tone civil and respectful.
- Use the bill name and number.
- Clearly ask them to vote yes or no and use your own words to explain why you support or oppose the bill.
Again, be sure to check out our bill tracker to learn about other bills we are following this year. If you want to learn more about the legislative process in Utah and how to stay involved, check out this great guide from the Better Utah Institute.
Tags: Legislative, Utah