The 2023 Legislative Session is more than halfway done. As we enter the downhill stretch, we are pushing for several pro-active bills to cross the finish line, while also advocating against bills that would turn back the block on reproductive rights in our state.
Everything will move faster over the next two weeks, so follow our Public Bill Tracker and social media accounts to stay informed.
Here’s what happened this week:
H.B. 228 - Unprofessional Conduct Amendments
We’ll take good news when it happens, which is why we are celebrating the transformation of HB228 from a terrible conversion therapy bill into positive legislation that codifies a ban on conversion therapy into Utah Law. Our friends and allies at the Trevor Project and Equality Utah worked relentlessly to make this good bill happen. After passing the Utah House unanimously on Thursday, HB 228 now heads to the Senate.
CALL TO ACTION: Text, email, and contact your Senator and ask them to VOTE YES on H.B. 228
H.B. 141 - Driver License Test Amendments
More good news. Earlier today the Senate passed H.B. 141, which allows a person to complete their driver’s license test in their preferred language (subject to availability) and allows a translator if the test cannot be provided in that language. We support this bill because expanding access to driver’s licenses will enable more Utahns to seek employment, attend school, and get to their health care appointments.
CALL TO ACTION: Send a comment to Gov. Spencer Cox to urge him to sign H.B. 141
S.B. 192 - Medicaid Doula Services
We are excited to see this bill, which requires state officials to apply for Medicaid approval to cover doula care, be assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services committee today. Studies show that people who work with a doula during pregnancy and childbirth are less likely to deliver a pre-term or a low birthweight baby, less likely to have postpartum depression, and more likely to try breastfeeding. We support S.B. 192 because people who receive Medicaid for their pregnancy should have access to doula care.
CALL TO ACTION: Text, email, and contact your Senator and ask them to VOTE YES on S.B. 192
One more update. On Friday afternoon, the Senate passed HJR2 – the resolution targeting the injunction against Utah’s abortion trigger ban – after Senators needed to vote twice to ensure they reached the required two-thirds majority. Because of a last-minute amendment to HJR2, the resolution requires one more House vote (likely on Monday) before it takes effect. Our legal team is following this situation closely to be able to respond.
Check out our bill tracker that is updated daily with bills we are watching this session. You can also sign up to follow our Fast Democracy Bill Tracker here. To take action every week, join us for our Digital Advocacy Nights happening on Wednesdays at 7pm.
Lastly, we would like to uplift two upcoming abortion storytelling workshops for people who have had abortions by Planned Parenthood Association of Utah!
