H.B. 559 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Amendments

What this bill does

The bill would make October Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in Utah. Under the latest version, the state health department would create basic standards and rules for hospitals and facilities, and providers could take an optional training on caring for families after pregnancy or infant loss that could count toward continuing education.

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Every vote

• 9 yes, 0 no, 5 absentHouse Health and Human Services Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 18, 2026Who voted how
• 43 yes, 24 no, 8 absentfloor amendment · Feb 24, 2026Who voted how
• 68 yes, 1 no, 6 absentFinal House vote · Feb 24, 2026Who voted how
• 4 yes, 0 no, 3 absentSenate Health and Human Services Committee: vote to approve it · Mar 2, 2026Who voted how
• 4 yes, 0 no, 3 absentSenate Health and Human Services Committee: Consent Calendar Recommendation · Mar 2, 2026Who voted how
• 23 yes, 0 no, 6 absentFinal Senate vote · Mar 6, 2026

Hearings and debates

• Feb 18, 2026 House Health and Human Services Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (30 turns)

  1. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:04:57

     5 59. Thank you committee. Appreciate your time today. Um, this one, uh, this is kind of fun, but, um, in a, I wish I didn't have to talk about this kind of way, but families experience all sorts of things when they go through, uh, the attempt to, to have a child, um, to be, my iPad thinks I'm asking it a question. It's a little creepy, but, uh, no, I'm not. Um, from a personal standpoint, we went through this, uh, in the early two thousands. We were married in 99, and we had, we had three, uh, we lost three babies before we finally found the right provider and were able to, uh, to keep a pregnancy. And that provider, um, carried us through five successful pregnancies. And so we have five children today and, um, over 12 years. And we're super grateful for that. And as a young father, I didn't know what was supposed to happen with some of those earlier ones. And we had a baby at one point, um, who we were, weren't allowed to see and was disposed of in the trash. I don't know if my son is to this day, if he Uintah a landfill or if he was incinerated with bio waste. I don't know what happened. All of those things that happened around that were wrong. I didn't know any better at the time. I just knew that that didn't wait. Oh, that's, we just don't get to, it was very, uh, looking back, we had to relive some of that as we've had this conversation, but we're having this conversation, frankly, because, uh, not as bad as my scenario. And we've improved in the last 25 years, and that's good. But, uh, my, my own little sister has gone through, you know, my brother-in-law have gone through some pretty heavy losses where we've lost two little nieces, uh, along the way. And so, as you guys know, these bills don't come outta nowhere. They come from somebody in our lives, a constituent or a family member in this case, um, who's gone through that. And, uh, this bill sets, uh, attempts to set statewide standards for providers training, um, to, to make sure that we're, uh, prepared for those scenarios and, um, assist in the long-term recovery for grieving families if it's handled well. And I've seen it handled well as well. Um, it does become a beautiful healing thing. So when it's done really well, and because this happens often enough that, um, especially now for some reason, the rates seem to be going up. Uh, but because it happens often enough, we're in a position where we're already doing these kind of trainings, and a lot of, a lot of our hospitals and a lot of our providers are already very, uh, used to this. Um, we're making a few policy changes on top of the training. One, we recognize October as the pregnancy and infant infant loss awareness month that, uh, matches our national counterparts and, and helps with that messaging, um, in the medical community. Um, it requires Doppel, uh, to help create basic standards and rules for hospitals and facilities. And then, um, they work with HHS and others to, to provide, uh, the appropriate training. So I'm happy to, uh, be joined here today, um, by share. And, um, I'd like to, to introduce them and, and tell 'em what they are and, and why they're here with me. Go ahead, Hailey. Sharon,

  2. Haley Lewis, President, Share Parents of Utah1:08:30

     Members of the committee, my name is Hailey Lewiston. I serve as President of Shared Parents of Utah, a nonprofit organization that supports families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. I also speak to you today as a mother who personally experienced pregnancy and infant loss. Before I continue, I know each and every single one of us knows somebody that has gone through it or have gone through it ourselves. And I want you to think about them as we go through this. This is not a rare issue. It touches nearly every family and district represented in this room. Each year, thousands of Utah families experience pregnancy or infant loss. While the medical event may last hours or days, the impact lasts a lifetime. In our work supporting families, we see clearly that the quality of care they receive in those first moments, pro-family shapes their long-term healing. Right now, a family's experience often depends on which hospital they enter or which provider is on shift. Some families receive exceptional trauma-informed care. Others leave without memory making opportunities, without clear counseling, referrals, and sometimes without acknowledgement of their baby's life. This bill seeks to create consistency and compassion within the system's. Families rely on during their most devastating experience. If formally designates October as pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month in Utah, increasing awareness and education across communities, it requires bereavement certification training for he healthcare professionals in emergency BGYN, and labor and delivery settings. Ensuring compassionate communication becomes a standard, not a matter of chance. It ensures hospitals provide resources such as cuddle cots, memory making opportunities, and access to grief support services. It allows collaboration with nonprofits, organizations like Share Parents of Utah to extend Care beyond hospital discharge, ensuring families are not left without continued support. This legislation does not seek to assign fault. It is, it seeks to establish compassionate, consistent standards of care. Thank you. That concludes my presentation.

  3. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:10:44

     Thank you. All right. We'll bring it back to the committee for clarifying questions. Representative Daley Provo.

  4. Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost1:10:53

     Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, thank you for being here to present today. Um, I agree with you, this is one of the most devastating thing things that happens. Um, and I would agree with you that there are more among us that have experienced this than than many realize. Um, and I absolutely agree with, um, all of the intent. I, I, I do support it, but I do just wanna bring up, and this is really hard for me to bring this up in this situation, but, um, you know, we legislate a lot of training for healthcare providers, and that's, it's healthcare providers. It's hard sometimes to, to thread that needle. Um, it seems really simple to say, you just have to do the simple training, but when you have a hundred organizations asking for that, it can get onerous. And so I just want, I just bring that up, not because I oppose it. Um, the, the intent or the idea, I, I love the idea. Um, it's just we need to carefully balance what healthcare providers are asked to, to undergo in it, you know, in their, whatever, their annual or biannual se cycle for trainings. Um, and I also love your hopes for what the outcome will be for this. Um, I just wanna be really, really careful that we, we don't get caught up in this language that we have to legislate, that people be compassionate. I think that we can try to set up systems that are designed to create compassionate outcomes. Um, but Is that in there? It's not, it was part of the testimony. Um, I, I hope that we can all just work together to make sure that we have a better culture and better understanding of this. Because in my own experience, I just kind of was left along to my, to my grief. Um, and I don't know how I could tell people to, to just be better people other than just try to be better people. So, thank you.

  5. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:12:54

     I can answer some of that, if that's the Question. Thank you. Yeah, thank you, representative. Um, sure. Yeah, go ahead. Oh, Yeah. Okay. Um, yeah. So to be frank with you, we're didn't expect, I told you this last night, um, we didn't expect this to be released so quick. Um, but because of that, um, we've been having a lot of conversations today. Uh, we're working actively with the medical association, with the hospital association on what that should look like. We're not necessarily married to the specific requirements or language outside of the spirit of the bill that we're going for. Um, but we're happy to, you know, we'll make adjustments along the way. Um, I think the more important thing where we're at in the session is that we keep it going and, you know, are able to have, have those conversations with them. So I appreciate what you're saying. Um, I've also worked for a medical provider, and at the end of every month have like 14 trainings they gotta complete. That's fun. Mm-hmm. So we're not itching to, to add necessarily to that. Um, at the same time, there's, we're not always doing this one. Right. And there's pretty devastating outcomes when we miss. So we're gonna, we're gonna work with them to figure that out. Thanks.

  6. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:14:04

     Thank you. Um, more questions. Representative Clancy.

  7. Rep. Clancy1:14:09

     First. Thanks. Representative Hall. Chair Hall. I think it's a really important bill, and I always say, uh, to, to our adult hospice workers. I always say they're to Angels Without Wings. And the March of Dimes has even, uh, highlighted this, uh, perinatal hospice as an important piece that can help with postpartum depression. And I remember when this bill came out, I think it was the day before Valentine's Day, and there's a, it was a important time that stood out to me. And I just wanna say thank you for bringing this forward, because it's a tough issue. And, um, I recently got to visit the NICU at, in, in Provo at the Intermountain Health. And I know they're working hard to do the best that they can in these things. And so I imagine you'll probably get feedback and, and everything. But, um, hospice being a celebration of life that can help people deal with grief, um, a lot of times, you know, it's for older people or people with cancer, but some of those same things can be so important, you know, when you've lost a, a son or a daughter, um, who, you know, had a life that you never got to see. Um, and so I, I, I was just adding my voice of support and confident. I'm sure you'll hear a lot of feedback from people that are working in this space, but I think this is really important, um, particularly with when it comes to postpartum depression and, and supporting our, our moms. So, thank you.

  8. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:16:05

     Thank you. Representative Clancy. Representative Monson.

  9. Rep. Logan Monson1:16:11

     Thank you. I, I've been fortunate enough to not have to deal with this in my, in my personal life, but have also dealt with it in my personal life outside of, you know, my, my, um, children and things with family and professionally, uh, with work as, as a nurse. I've, I've dealt with this on, on that side of it and would maybe add, I, I like in here, um, that it gives practices that could include it. It's, um, I may include there, and I would maybe, and you may have thought about this a little bit, but there is this side of the healthcare workers processing this grief sometimes when they don't know how to do that as well. So providing support in, in a way for that would be helpful. 'cause I think it's, it benefits both sides when, when they're, um, prepared or, or able to. I've worked for an organization that, that does have pretty consistent grief counseling after almost anything really. And, and would, um, urge that. I, I feel like that would be helpful while we're talking about this as well, and, and appreciate the work that's gone into this, I think it's a good thing that, that needs to be done. So thank you.

  10. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:17:26

      Thank you. Representative Monson. Representative Acton.

  11. Rep. Cheryl K. Acton1:17:30

      Thank you. Um, I too, I like this. And I think, I think it has a, a part, I mean, a role to play. And I don't think that it should take very much time in, in a training scenario to cover. 'cause a lot of people may not be aware of having not gone through it themselves or just in the rush and the bustle of a medical practice or an a hospital. Um, so I really, I like, and I loved what you said about it's trauma informed care, and we're trying to be more trauma informed in all of our bills and so forth. So I, I think that is, that's, that's a great term for it. And the perinatal hospice, I had not thought of it as that as well, but it is. And, um, we have had bills in the past about, um, for example, bereavement leave for someone who has suffered a miscarriage. Um, and, and I certainly supported that, that was a couple of years ago. So I appreciate this bill coming forward. Thank you.

  12. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:18:34

      Thank you. I'm not seeing any further questions. We'll take it to the public for any public comment. Is there anyone that wants to comment on this in the audience? Okay. We have one. We have three. All right. So we'll have you, um, your guests, uh, maybe sit back and we'll have you come up one at a time. Go ahead. Just be sure to introduce yourself and who you represent.

  13. Tiffany Lindstrom, volunteer, Share Parents of Utah1:19:06

      Uh, thank you Madam Chair and Committee. Uh, my name is Tiffany Lindstrom. Uh, I have been a volunteer with Share Parents of Utah for about 12 years now. Um, I'm also a lost mom. I've had two losses myself. Uh, there is, um, no trauma, like the loss of a child, but many people don't realize that the trauma does not end with just the loss itself for families like mine. It's compounded by walking into a hospital system without the standardized care forced to make uninformed decisions that you weren't prepared to make, um, in the worst moments of your life. Decisions made from shock decisions we did not understand, and decisions that have led to years and years of regret layered on top of the unimaginable grief. And no parent should have to carry that for the past 12 years. Like I said, I have volunteered alongside grieving families, and I have personally provided bereavement care To probably three to 400 families in that time. Um, I have also gone into most hospitals within Utah and provided personal training for them, um, and the nurses. Yet the training is not uniform. The protocols are inconsistent. And the care and family, the care that the family receives to often depends on which nurse or provider happens to be on shift that day, especially with the turnover among nursing and hospital staff. As high as it is, it has become a losing battle, even when hospitals want to do better without the standardized care, there is no system to ensure every family is treated with the same dignity, preparation, and compassion. I have heard countless, heartbreaking stories. I have witnessed the harm firsthand. Uh, again, this, like Kaylee had mentioned, this bill is not about blame. It is just about protection. It's about ensuring that in the darkest moment of a parent's life, they're met with informed, consistent and trauma aware care. The grief is unavoidable, preventable trauma is not. Um, so again, no parent should have to carry both. Thank you.

  14. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:21:36

      Thank you, Tiffany. Got You can, and you can take that back with you if you need to, and then we'll let someone else come up. Thank you. Okay. Whoever is next, go ahead. Go ahead.

  15. Cara Bitton, resident1:22:00

      Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Madam Chair and Committee. Uh, my name is Cara. I am Representative Wilcox's younger sister. And I have personally experienced two second trimester losses that were extremely difficult. And it's not a, a deal, like Tiffany said, it's not just a one day thing. Um, it affects you for a long time. And I've seen it done right. I've seen it done wrong, but, and I know our healthcare workers are human. And I, I have had some angels of nurses that have taken care of me extremely well, and providers, but we need a standard of care. Um, it needs, needs to be more recognized. One of the things, in my opinion that needs to be more recognized is postpartum depression after a loss and a standard of care can bring in my opinion. I, I mean, I don't know all the specifics with this, but I think that can help significantly to bring more attention to that with this bill. Um, that's everything. Okay. Okay. Thank you.

  16. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:23:31

      Thank you, Kara. Thank you for your testimony. Okay. We have one more.

  17. Michelle McOmber, Chief Executive Officer, Utah Medical Association1:23:45

      Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee, Michelle McCumber with the Utah Medical Association. This is such a hard area and such a, a difficult time for people, and we understand that we do appreciate the representative working with us and hope to make this the best that it can be. Thank you.

  18. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:24:04

      Thank you, Michelle. And we have one online. Maryanne Christensen, if you can turn on your camera. Go. Go ahead, Maryanne.

  19. Maryann Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch1:24:30

      Okay. Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak in favor of this bill, because I have a personal experience to share. Um, I had a grandson who, um, passed away just minutes before he was born. And so we were one of those families that was experiencing something that was totally devastating to us while we were in the happiest place on Earth for everyone else that was there, because they were all welcoming new babies. It was particularly hard because it wasn't expected and he had gone full term. It was just supposed to be a regular delivery, and it didn't turn out that way. And I'm still missing the opportunity to give that little boy all the kisses I had for him. And so I, I really appreciate Bill. Um, coincidentally, my little grandson passed away in October and October is gonna be designated as the month to, to have awareness of, um, infant loss. We have been celebrating October 16th, this Declan day. It'll be 16 years this year. So I really appreciate the sponsor and the bill because it's, it's something that we haven't known how to address, and so we just haven't addressed it. The best case scenario for us when we were going through it ourselves was for, for people to just kind look away. 'cause they didn't know how to deal with this. It was, it was very awkward and very hard. So, um, I really appreciate it and it's really needed. So thank you very much for voting yes on this bill.

  20. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:26:35

      Thank you. Maryanne, can you introduce yourself as well? Oh, I'm so sorry. Okay,

  21. Maryann Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch1:26:39

      no worries. Marianne Christensen, executive director of Utah Legislative Watch.

  22. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:26:44

      Thank you, Marianne. Thank you for your comments. All right. I'm not seeing any more comments. Oh, I'll bring it back to the Committee for Action Representative Clancy,

  23. Rep. Clancy1:26:55

      Uh, I'll make a motion. We favorably recommend House Bill 5 5 9, uh, uh, out of this, out of this, uh, committee and onto the full body of the house. That motion is in order. Would you like to speak to it? Yes. Uh, I'm gonna have to go on record and say Representative Wilcox made me cry today, but it wasn't how I was expecting. You know, how he is made me cry before. No, I'm just kidding. Um, no, I really appreciate this. Uh, you know, you may not know this about me at chair, but, uh, I used to have an illustrious career, uh, flipping burgers at Seven Brothers Burgers in Provo. And we would always say, before we would go and do food service, they would say, um, you know, just remember that even something like a smile or treating someone kindly while they're getting food can make a huge difference in someone's day and maybe in someone's week. And, uh, I never forgot that. And I think that, um, you know, as a, as a cop, one of the things they tell you is that when you're in the hospital, but maybe you're with a victim of a traffic accident or whatever it might be, they always say, never ask someone in a hospital. How, how are you doing? Um, that's, you know, kind of the standard greeting that we do, um, for, for reasons like this. And so I think this is a great step forward. Um, I'm sure, I'm sure you're gonna work, work hard and make it even better. Um, but I think this has the ability to impact more lives than, than we could even measure. Um, and particularly for, for our women who are in a vulnerable position of, of being in postpartum, uh, challenges, I think this is a, a great investment of our energy and time. So I'll be supporting, uh, supporting the bill.

  24. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:28:26

      Thank you, Representative Clancy. We'll bring it to the committee for any comments.

  25. Rep. Logan Monson1:28:33

      I'll just make a comment real quick. I, my most of my nursing career was in postpartum and for, gosh, probably 20 years of postpartum. Um, so I saw quite a few of these, um, sad, just sad stories and sad sadness. And as you're, as you're the nurse, you learn how to try to do your best, but you're, you're never gonna say everything, right. You're never gonna do it, right. We, they try to train they, and I think they're getting better at it, but, uh, some, some of your commenters brought up a standard of care. I don't know that there is a standard of care yet. So maybe it is something to that we look at. Um, I think it's, I and I commend them so much, Tiffany and Kara and Hailey for, uh, going into the hospitals and doing those, those, those cares for those women, making them molds. I remember holding those cute little sweet little hands to help them make the molds for the parents and just how meaningful that was. And so, I wanna thank you guys for the work that you do. 'cause that was really helpful for us nurses, for you to come in and do that for us and help with that. So anyway, I will be supporting this bill as well. So, and I know there might be some little fixes that you'll, that you'll work on with, with the stakeholders.

  26. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:30:00

      So we'll take it out to the sponsor for final word.

  27. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:30:08

      You made me think about the little mots. Oh. Um, I appreciate the comments that have been made by the committee. Um, I think what Hailey said at the beginning, you know, at one point she asked me, should I have 'em raise their hands? You know, who knows somebody that's been through this? I'm like, no, I might bump up against our demonstration rules. Like, I don't wanna do that, but just mention it. 'cause I promise you, all of us know somebody. Like, if it's not us, it's our sister or our brother or our mom that's been through this. And, um, yeah, we, we, we do a good job and we're way better than when we were, when we had our situation, when we lost our, our baby, that that particular thing happened. Um, and we, we have some ways to go and we can do better. So appreciate your support. Thank you.

  28. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:31:02

      Thank you. Bring it back to the sponsor or the maker of the motion.

  29. Rep. Clancy1:31:06

      I'll, all right. So the motion is that we pass forward HB 5 59 with the favorable recommendation.

  30. Rep. Katy Hall (presiding)1:31:15

      All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you, chair. Thank you. All right, moving on.

• Feb 24, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (6 turns)

  1. Unknown speaker57:08speaker not certain

     Madam Marine Clerk House

  2. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox57:09

     Bill 5 59, pregnancy and infant loss amendments by Representative Wilcox. This bill was heard in Health and Human Services with the vote of 9 0 5 Representative Wilcox.

  3. Speaker (presiding)57:20

     Thank you Mr. Speaker.

  4. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox57:22

     I, uh, moved that we adopt the first substitute

  5. Speaker (presiding)57:33

     Representative. We do not have that first substitute. Don't have it Like to withdraw your motion and maybe make a motion to circle Looking at it confused Representative. That must have just barely came online because we don't have the physical copy up here yet. We have to have the Physical copy. Okay. Motion to circle. Would you Like to withdraw your motion and make the motion? Draw my motion, I suppose. And, and make a motion to circle that motion. Motion to circle that motion is in order. Thank you, Representative Wilcox.

  6. Speaker (presiding)58:12

     We'll go ahead and place the motion, the motion before us the house adopt, or, sorry, circle first or HB 5 59. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed? Will that motion passes? The bill's been circled. Go to Madam Reading Clerk

• Feb 24, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (4 turns)

  1. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox57:22

     I, uh, moved that we adopt the first substitute

  2. Speaker (presiding)57:33

     Representative. We do not have that first substitute. Don't have it Like to withdraw your motion and maybe make a motion to circle Looking at it confused Representative. That must have just barely came online because we don't have the physical copy up here yet. We have to have the Physical copy. Okay. Motion to circle. Would you Like to withdraw your motion and make the motion?

  3. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox58:04

     Draw my motion, I suppose. And, and make a motion to circle that motion.

  4. Speaker (presiding)58:09

     Motion to circle that motion is in order. Thank you, Representative Wilcox. We'll go ahead and place the motion, the motion before us the house adopt, or, sorry, circle first or HB 5 59. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed? Will that motion passes? The bill's been circled. Go to Madam Reading Clerk

• Feb 24, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (25 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)1:12:19

     before is the house, UNC circle HB 5 59. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Roll. That motion passes the bills uncircled and before the body for its, uh, consideration back you Wilcox representation.

  2. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:12:34

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to adopt the first substitute.

  3. Speaker (presiding)1:12:38

     Thank you representative. That motion is in order, which I speak to 'em.

  4. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:12:41

     Be happy to representatives. There's two functional changes with the first substitute. One is that it makes it more permissive rather than required as far as the training goes. And the second one is that it, um, adds a carrot as well. It, uh, allows this training to be, um, used for continuing education pur purposes for certification for several different medical providers.

  5. Speaker (presiding)1:13:08

     Thank you, Representative Wilcox. Discussion to the motion to adopt first substitute on HP 5 59. None. Go ahead and place the motion, the motion before us the house adopt first substitute on HB 5 59 under Representative Wilcox's name. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? While that motion passes, the bill's been substituted before the body for its consideration. Representative Wilcox back to you.

  6. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:13:37

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker Representative is, uh, one of the harder things as a parent, uh, for a lot of parents is when they aren't able to become a parent. And that can happen because, you know, for several reasons. But this bill is about those who were on their way and for whatever reason, lost, lost. That little baby didn't quite make it here, although it applies to, uh, the parents of children up to three years old. When we lose, we lose a child. Families is experiencing pregnancy and infant loss face a burden that oftentimes is unseen and is rather painful for them to go through. Um, this bill does a few things. One, it establishes October as pregnancy, uh, pregnancy loss and pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. It sets up a training protocol and a standard of care for our medical providers for those who have lost a child. The testimony that we heard in committee and that I've dealt with along the way, um, have reminded me not just of things I didn't really want to think about, uh, because of, of the sensitive nature to them. Um, in our family, you know, we lost, we lost a couple nieces and then years ago we went through our own. And I had kind of blocked all of that out, hadn't really dealt with that, I suppose, um, over the years. But I'm grateful for, uh, the strong women who have brought this to me and have pointed out the need for not just the additional training and care, but the very, the many, uh, nurses and physicians that we've spoken with who have supported this along the way. It's not something that, uh, anyone wants to go through. And when we get it right, we do a good job. And when we don't, it leaves, uh, scars that don't go away. So I'm happy to answer any questions if there are any. Mr. Speaker?

  7. Speaker (presiding)1:15:38

     Thank you, Representative Wilcox. Uh, discussion to the bill Representative Thurston.

  8. Rep. Jordan D. Teuscher1:15:44

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Motion to amend.

  9. Speaker (presiding)1:15:48

     Thank you representative. That motion is in order.

  10. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:15:52

      I would like to, uh, starting on line one 50, strike from the word and all the way through the line of 1 57.

  11. Unknown speaker1:16:05speaker not certain

      You count it. How many words that is Representative Thurston? Um, I believe that sends it. Strike out. It doesn't matter, but I don't, I haven't counted. No, You are correct. Deletions. There's no limit. Thank you.

  12. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:16:16

      Okay, so, uh, explain that again. So line one 50, starting at and, and delete it all the way through and including line 1 57. Is that correct? That's correct. Okay.

  13. Speaker (presiding)1:16:28

      Representative, that motion is in order. Would you like to speak to it?

  14. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:16:31

      Yeah. So colleagues, um, a few years ago it became, uh, de to ask for commemorative days and periods. And we had a lot of bills, a lot of opportunities, and some of them are good, some of'em I liked. Some of 'em were good and I didn't like some of 'em were bad and I liked, and some weren't bad and I didn't like, there were all sorts of things coming along our way. Um, and so we were asked as a government operations committee to take a look at a way of cutting down on that list. And the agreement was that we would allow the governor's office to have control of designating commemorative periods. And so, if you'll look on this, in this bill, uh, starting on line 65, 65, 66 and 67, that was the language that was added to code, to signal to our colleagues that the correct way of designating commemorative period is to do an application through the governor's office. Uh, we've already done that once this session, and it was fabulous. It was successful. People were able to go and talk to the governor and have their commemorative period done. It also, we discovered that that would allow people to go down every year and have that big celebration and have that happen many times a year. So, uh, the gentleman's agreement and the, uh, uh, opportunity that we had, uh, discussed with legislatures was, we're not gonna add any more commemorative days and periods to the statute. We're gonna leave all the ones that are there in place and we're not gonna add any more. So it's not that I don't think this is worthy of discussion, it's just that it will set us back down a path of expanding the list and watering it down, and creating more and more opportunities for people to run more bills and more bills and more bills to specify commemorative days and periods. So with that, I would encourage us to remove that particular line from this code and encourage the sponsor and others who care to go talk to the governor and have the governor, uh, used that opportunity and that power that we gave the governor's office to designate those commemorative periods without us as a legislature needing to have more and more and more of this. So, thank you, Mr. Pe. I would encourage adoption of the amendment.

  15. Speaker (presiding)1:18:39

      Thank you, Representative Thurston, uh, discuss or back to or to you, Representative Wilcox on the motion to amend.

  16. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:18:48

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I'm not familiar with the gentleman's agreement that I apparently am a party to. I, uh, I don't know what to say to that. I would've loved to have had a gentleman's conversation prior to this coming up on the floor. Perhaps after I circled it a few moments ago, that would've been much easier. That said, um, you know, I'm, I'm not, this is not scripture. I'm open to input. Um, I think at this point in the session, I'd rather move it forward, uh, speaking against the motion, and perhaps we can have another gentleman's conversation about what should be done in the future. Thank you, Representative Wilcox.

  17. Speaker (presiding)1:19:34

      A discussion to the motion to amend Representative Hansen.

  18. Rep. Leah Hansen1:19:42

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of that amendment. Thank you, Representative Hansen.

  19. Speaker (presiding)1:19:49

      Additional discussion to the motion to amend. See none. Back to rep Representative Thurston, uh, for summation on the motion to amend.

  20. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:20:00

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and, and apologies for not being able to read every bill and keep up on it. I, that's, it's a, a challenge around here. Uh, I would encourage this to be a team sport, and if anybody else is watching for these, please, uh, also take it upon yourself to contact any of the sponsors as well. And I soon, your apologies for having to do it this way. And I do apologize to my good friend. Thank you.

  21. Speaker (presiding)1:20:24

      Thank you, Representative Thurston. Okay. Representatives pay attention. So the motion before us is a verbal amendment that on line 50, we strike the word and, sorry, line one 50 on line one 50. We start and we strike the word and, and we strike all the way down, uh, to the bottom and including line 1 57. So we'll go ahead and place that motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Na For that. Motion passes. The bill's been amended and, uh, before the body for further discussion. Division, division has been called a fiber moral stand. Hey, representatives. We are in division again. Just so everybody's clear, we are in division over, uh, the motion to amend, uh, starting on line one 50. It includes the word and, and goes all the way down through line 1 57 and includes line 1 57. So with that, we'll go ahead and open up the vote, uh, on the motion to amend. Whoops. There we go. Okay. Uh, President Walter, seeing all present having voted, uh, voting is now closed. Uh, that motion passes, uh, the motion to amend passes. So now to the underlying bill as amended discussion to the underlying bill is amended, then we'll go back to your absent Wilcox for summation.

  22. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:23:21

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I suppose we can go down to the governor's office and ask him for permission to recognize this, but I would like to point out some, the more important part of this. The only point of having the pregnancy and infant loss awareness month is to have those, again, an excuse really to have those hard conversations. Bottom line is, uh, those of us that have been affected by this, and certainly the, the young mothers who we heard from in committee, they're not looking for anything really big from us. Just an acknowledgement. There's a significant amount of pain that exists when your baby is discarded or not treated as fully there. And that doesn't really go away. We don't have to be like that. We can do better. And so the bill helps to create a training and a standard of care established for all of those who work in this space so that we don't make that mistake. And I appreciate your support on the bill. Thank you.

  23. Speaker (presiding)1:24:35

      Thank you. Representative Wilcox voting will now be open on first substitute HB 5 59. Speaker announces a rules committee meeting, uh, to be held in the House rules committee room. So all members of the House Rules Committee are excused for that meeting. I don't, Seeing all present having voted voting is now closed for substitute. HB 5 59 passes this body with 68 yes votes one, no vote will be sent to the Senate for its consideration.

  24. Speaker (presiding)1:26:37

      Representative Defay

  25. Speaker (presiding)1:26:49

      Uh, we'll go ahead and place the motion, the motion before us the house encircle.

• Feb 24, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (26 turns)

  1. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:12:34

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to adopt the first substitute.

  2. Speaker (presiding)1:12:38

     Thank you representative. That motion is in order,

  3. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:12:40

     which I speak to 'em. Be happy to representatives. There's two functional changes with the first substitute. One is that it makes it more permissive rather than required as far as the training goes. And the second one is that it, um, adds a carrot as well. It, uh, allows this training to be, um, used for continuing education pur purposes for certification for several different medical providers.

  4. Speaker (presiding)1:13:08

     Thank you, Representative Wilcox. Discussion to the motion to adopt first substitute on HP 5 59. None. Go ahead and place the motion, the motion before us the house adopt first substitute on HB 5 59 under Representative Wilcox's name. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? While that motion passes, the bill's been substituted before the body for its consideration. Representative Wilcox back to you.

  5. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:13:37

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker Representative is, uh, one of the harder things as a parent, uh, for a lot of parents is when they aren't able to become a parent. And that can happen because, you know, for several reasons. But this bill is about those who were on their way and for whatever reason, lost, lost. That little baby didn't quite make it here, although it applies to, uh, the parents of children up to three years old. When we lose, we lose a child. Families is experiencing pregnancy and infant loss face a burden that oftentimes is unseen and is rather painful for them to go through. Um, this bill does a few things. One, it establishes October as pregnancy, uh, pregnancy loss and pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. It sets up a training protocol and a standard of care for our medical providers for those who have lost a child. The testimony that we heard in committee and that I've dealt with along the way, um, have reminded me not just of things I didn't really want to think about, uh, because of, of the sensitive nature to them. Um, in our family, you know, we lost, we lost a couple nieces and then years ago we went through our own. And I had kind of blocked all of that out, hadn't really dealt with that, I suppose, um, over the years. But I'm grateful for, uh, the strong women who have brought this to me and have pointed out the need for not just the additional training and care, but the very, the many, uh, nurses and physicians that we've spoken with who have supported this along the way. It's not something that, uh, anyone wants to go through. And when we get it right, we do a good job. And when we don't, it leaves, uh, scars that don't go away. So I'm happy to answer any questions if there are any. Mr. Speaker?

  6. Speaker (presiding)1:15:38

     Thank you, Representative Wilcox. Uh, discussion to the bill Representative Thurston.

  7. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:15:44

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Motion to amend.

  8. Speaker (presiding)1:15:48

     Thank you representative. That motion is in order.

  9. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:15:52

     I would like to, uh, starting on line one 50, strike from the word and all the way through the line of 1 57. You count it. How many words that is Representative Thurston? Um, I believe that sends it. Strike out. It doesn't matter, but I don't, I haven't counted. No,

  10. Speaker (presiding)1:16:12

      You are correct. Deletions. There's no limit. Thank you. Okay, so, uh, explain that again.

  11. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:16:18

      So line one 50, starting at and, and delete it all the way through and including line 1 57. Is that correct? That's correct. Okay.

  12. Speaker (presiding)1:16:28

      Representative, that motion is in order. Would you like to speak to it?

  13. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:16:31

      Yeah. So colleagues, um, a few years ago it became, uh, de to ask for commemorative days and periods. And we had a lot of bills, a lot of opportunities, and some of them are good, some of'em I liked. Some of 'em were good and I didn't like some of 'em were bad and I liked, and some weren't bad and I didn't like, there were all sorts of things coming along our way. Um, and so we were asked as a government operations committee to take a look at a way of cutting down on that list. And the agreement was that we would allow the governor's office to have control of designating commemorative periods. And so, if you'll look on this, in this bill, uh, starting on line 65, 65, 66 and 67, that was the language that was added to code, to signal to our colleagues that the correct way of designating commemorative period is to do an application through the governor's office. Uh, we've already done that once this session, and it was fabulous. It was successful. People were able to go and talk to the governor and have their commemorative period done. It also, we discovered that that would allow people to go down every year and have that big celebration and have that happen many times a year. So, uh, the gentleman's agreement and the, uh, uh, opportunity that we had, uh, discussed with legislatures was, we're not gonna add any more commemorative days and periods to the statute. We're gonna leave all the ones that are there in place and we're not gonna add any more. So it's not that I don't think this is worthy of discussion, it's just that it will set us back down a path of expanding the list and watering it down, and creating more and more opportunities for people to run more bills and more bills and more bills to specify commemorative days and periods. So with that, I would encourage us to remove that particular line from this code and encourage the sponsor and others who care to go talk to the governor and have the governor, uh, used that opportunity and that power that we gave the governor's office to designate those commemorative periods without us as a legislature needing to have more and more and more of this. So, thank you, Mr. Pe. I would encourage adoption of the amendment.

  14. Speaker (presiding)1:18:39

      Thank you, Representative Thurston, uh, discuss or back to or to you, Representative Wilcox on the motion to amend.

  15. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:18:48

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I'm not familiar with the gentleman's agreement that I apparently am a party to. I, uh, I don't know what to say to that. I would've loved to have had a gentleman's conversation prior to this coming up on the floor. Perhaps after I circled it a few moments ago, that would've been much easier. That said, um, you know, I'm, I'm not, this is not scripture. I'm open to input. Um, I think at this point in the session, I'd rather move it forward, uh, speaking against the motion, and perhaps we can have another gentleman's conversation about what should be done in the future. Thank you, Representative Wilcox.

  16. Speaker (presiding)1:19:34

      A discussion to the motion to amend Representative Hansen.

  17. Rep. Leah Hansen1:19:42

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of that amendment. Thank you,

  18. Speaker (presiding)1:19:46

      Representative Hansen. Additional discussion to the motion to amend. See none. Back to rep Representative Thurston, uh, for summation on the motion to amend.

  19. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:20:00

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and, and apologies for not being able to read every bill and keep up on it. I, that's, it's a, a challenge around here. Uh, I would encourage this to be a team sport, and if anybody else is watching for these, please, uh, also take it upon yourself to contact any of the sponsors as well. And I soon, your apologies for having to do it this way. And I do apologize to my good friend. Thank you.

  20. Speaker (presiding)1:20:24

      Thank you, Representative Thurston. Okay. Representatives pay attention. So the motion before us is a verbal amendment that on line 50, we strike the word and, sorry, line one 50 on line one 50. We start and we strike the word and, and we strike all the way down, uh, to the bottom and including line 1 57. So we'll go ahead and place that motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Na For that. Motion passes. The bill's been amended and, uh, before the body for further discussion. Division, division has been called a fiber moral stand. Hey, representatives. We are in division again. Just so everybody's clear, we are in division over, uh, the motion to amend, uh, starting on line one 50. It includes the word and, and goes all the way down through line 1 57 and includes line 1 57. So with that, we'll go ahead and open up the vote, uh, on the motion to amend. Whoops. There we go. Okay. Uh, President Walter, seeing all present having voted, uh, voting is now closed. Uh, that motion passes, uh, the motion to amend passes. So now to the underlying bill as amended discussion to the underlying bill is amended, then we'll go back to your absent Wilcox for summation.

  21. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:23:21

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I suppose we can go down to the governor's office and ask him for permission to recognize this, but I would like to point out some, the more important part of this. The only point of having the pregnancy and infant loss awareness month is to have those, again, an excuse really to have those hard conversations. Bottom line is, uh, those of us that have been affected by this, and certainly the, the young mothers who we heard from in committee, they're not looking for anything really big from us. Just an acknowledgement. There's a significant amount of pain that exists when your baby is discarded or not treated as fully there. And that doesn't really go away. We don't have to be like that. We can do better. And so the bill helps to create a training and a standard of care established for all of those who work in this space so that we don't make that mistake. And I appreciate your support on the bill. Thank you.

  22. Speaker (presiding)1:24:35

      Thank you. Representative Wilcox voting will now be open on first substitute HB 5 59. Speaker announces a rules committee meeting, uh, to be held in the House rules committee room. So all members of the House Rules Committee are excused for that meeting. I don't, Seeing all present having voted voting is now closed for substitute. HB 5 59 passes this body with 68 yes votes one, no vote will be sent to the Senate for its consideration. Representative Defay

  23. Rep. Ariel Defay1:26:39

      Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to encircle HB 3 93.

  24. Speaker (presiding)1:26:43

      That motion is an order. Would like to speak to it.

  25. Rep. Ariel Defay1:26:46

      I'll waive. Thank you, representative.

  26. Speaker (presiding)1:26:49

      Uh, we'll go ahead and place the motion, the motion before us the house encircle.

• Mar 2, 2026 Senate Health and Human Services Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (18 turns)

  1. Committee chair1:28:28

     and infant loss amendments from Senate Representative Wilcox.

  2. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:28:31

     Thank you. Um, I appreciate that. Um, I've got a co-presenter, Haley Lewis, uh, who's online. Can you see her there? Seth or Michelle? Someone? Yeah, Someone back there. Magical. Okay. Um, I appreciate that, uh, allowing us to do that together. Um, this bill, uh, came to me initially, uh, from a loved one of mine who had just gone through this, uh, exact issue. When you lose a child, there is nothing that is, uh, quite like that feeling. I dunno how else to explain that. Um, and what this one does at this point, we've, um, taken out quite a bit. But what it really does is it allows us to, uh, create a training that will help our medical professionals to recognize when, um, when we've had someone lose their, lose their baby, that they'll be able to have the appropriate, uh, care and and guidance in that difficult time. Um, I'm gonna turn the time over to Hailey. Is she there, Seth? Okay, let's let, there she is. I see her. Go ahead Hailey.

  3. Haley Lewis, President, Share Parents of Utah1:29:45

     And you're members of the committee. Can you hear me?

  4. Committee chair1:29:47speaker not certain

     Yeah, go ahead and introduce yourself and, yeah.

  5. Haley Lewis, President, Share Parents of Utah1:29:50

     Perfect. My name is Hailey Lewiston. I serve as President of Share Parents of Utah. A nonprofit organization supports families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. I also speak to you today as a mother who has personally experienced pregnancy loss. This is not a rare issue. It touches nearly every family and district represented in this room. Each year, thousands of Utah families experience pregnancy or infant loss. While the medical event may last hours or days, the impact lasts a lifetime. In our work supporting families, we see clearly that the quality of care they receive in those first moments, pro-family shapes their long-term healing. Right now, a family's experience often depends on which hospital they enter or which provider is on shift. Some families receive exceptional trauma-informed care. Others leave without memory making opportunities, without clear counseling, referrals, and sometimes without acknowledgement of their baby's life. This bill seeks to create consistency with within the system's. Families rely on during their def most devastating experience. It requires bereavement certification training for healthcare professionals and emergency OB GYN and labor and delivery settings. Ensuring compassionate communication becomes a standard, not a matter of chance. It ensures hospitals provide resources such as cuddle cots, memory making opportunities, and access to grief support services. And it allows collaboration with nonprofit organizations like Share Parents of Utah to extend care beyond hospital discharge, ensuring families are not left without continued support. This legislation does not seek to assign fault. It seeks to establish consistent standards of care. On behalf of the families we serve, we respectfully ask for your consideration and support. Thank you.

  6. Committee chair1:31:43

     Thank you. We'll bring it. Anybody else like to comment on this? Yes.

  7. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:31:52

     That concludes my presentation.

  8. Sen. Keven J. Stratton (presiding)1:31:56

     She was part of your presentation. She was, yeah.

  9. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:31:58

     Thank you. She just couldn't be here physically with me today.

  10. Sen. Keven J. Stratton (presiding)1:32:03

      Well, we recognize, uh, certainly, uh, to the sponsor. This is a very sensitive, sensitive tender, uh, subject matter and commend you and both the sensitivity of your, your copilot there in the presentation committee. Any questions? Clarifying questions? Is there anybody here that would like to speak to this in the, uh, public? Okay. Well close public comment. Bring it back to the, uh, committee for further action. Senator Escamilla.

  11. Sen. Luz Escamilla1:32:41

      Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chair. Um, this is a, a really good bill and it's an opportunity to, um, provide process as people are healing in something so painful that I don't think has an explanation. So, without Mr. Chair, I make a motion that we favorably recommend for substitute HB 5,559 to the floor. And if, if I could add something, Mr. Chair, I think we've had some, um, already track, uh, policies of where we are addressing and recognizing this, uh, very unique situation. For some families, we've, um, taken care of other issues related to that certificates, so we don't make it so difficult on, on many of these families that are going through the, a horrible experience and so difficult for them. So I think this matches that whole process and our policy, um, to move forward in being proactive and, and supporting these families. So I'm hoping my colleagues can support this and my motion is to move it to the Senate.

  12. Sen. Keven J. Stratton (presiding)1:33:46speaker not certain

      Thank you. Well stated. Senator Vickers. So we have before us the motion to pass house Bill 5 59. First substitute pregnancy and infant loss amendments discussion to the motion scene. None will bring it back to the sponsor.

  13. Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox1:34:03

      Representative Wilcox. Yeah, I had, uh, I wanted to mention really quickly some of those that couldn't make it here. They're, they're trying to, you know, follow us across the world, the internet. Um, this is brought to me. I mentioned someone close to me, but my little sister first who lost two. And when we had that conversation, I was reminded that we also had gone through that 25 years before. And how I felt when, you know, our baby was tossed aside. And, uh, the problem is the more I've had that conversation and with each person I've had that conversation with, they also, either they went through that or they know somebody too close to them, and we, we've missed it. We're not in the place where we were 25 years ago where they literally threw my baby out with the biowaste. That's not where we are. But I'll always think about that and I'll wonder about it every single time. I appreciate Danny, uh, recognize Dopel appreciate their work, NHHS and help to put it together. Um, and then the medical association who volunteered to, to, uh, be the accrediting agency and, and pay for it themselves. So there's no fiscal note for us to try to figure out, uh, this late in the session. So appreciate all those who have contributed to this, but it matters till we get a right. So, thank you Mr. Chair. Chair.

  14. Sen. Keven J. Stratton (presiding)1:35:25speaker not certain

      Thank you. And to the maker of the motion. Wait, life is so precious.

  15. Sen. Keven J. Stratton (presiding)1:35:33

      All in favor of passing house Bill 5 59. For substitute pregnancy and infant loss amendments, a favorable recommendation, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? If any, nay. Thank you. Passing unanimous.

  16. Sen. Luz Escamilla1:35:48

      Mr. Chair with timing and the sensitive, um, conversation. Uh, I hope the wanna make a motion and see if the committee will Recognize this bill motion is appropriate for to pass this with a place.

  17. Sen. Keven J. Stratton (presiding)1:36:02

      This on consent, correct? Yes. Discussion to the motion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Nay. There you go.

  18. Sen. Luz Escamilla1:36:10speaker not certain

      Thank you so much. Thank You. Committee.

• Mar 6, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (3 turns)

  1. President of the Senate (presiding)54:43

     Senator Escamilla.

  2. Sen. Luz Escamilla54:45

     Thank you Mr. President. Um, this bill recognizes a, a unique but very hurtful and painful, um, situation that many families unfortunately experience in the state of Utah related to the passing of a child or an infant. And, um, you know, what this bill is trying to do is just asking for a process to be in place regarding practices when individuals experience pregnancy or infant loss at, at a healthcare facility. So providing a, a framework of work so the parents can have a memory making experience and access to grief counseling. It's been, um, you know, it, it, it's, it's terrible and we're just trying to create a way that it, it it sets the standards of practices when happening at a healthcare facility. This is a, a bill that will be creating those statewide standards and training and, and they will just make the healthcare providers be ready when assisting those families on, on a very painful moment. And without, I call the question, Mr. President. Thank you. And the question is, shall first substitute House Bill

  3. President of the Senate (presiding)55:54

     five fifty nine pass. Roll call Vote. Senator Vickers. Spry Aye. Lewin b Brammer Bus Aye. Fillmore Escamia. Aye. Fillmore Grover. Aye. Harper Kinins. Aye. Ipson Johnson Juab McKay Mikel Milner Musselman Owens pitcher Plum Re Sandal Stevenson Stratton Vickers Miler Pitcher I Winterton. President Adams Aye. First substitute house Bill 5 59. Having received 23 A votes zero NA vote six being absent passes his body and will be signed by the president. Return to the house for the signature of the speaker.