S.B. 98 Substance Use Rehabilitation Amendments: transcript

Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee, Jan 28, 2026

1. Committee chair29:41

   Our next bill up. Our first bill up is Senate Bill 98 substance use, uh, rehabilitation amendments. And I think there is a substitute online. There is, there's actually two. Um, and the substitute number two would be the one that we would like to adopt and just glance right over, skip right over number one, please.

2. Sen. Owens30:03

   Okay. So we want, uh, so, uh, do I need a motion to adopt the late entitled Body Senate Bill 98 and adopt, uh, second substitute of Senate Bill 98. Madam Chair, I'll make that motion.

3. Committee chair30:18

   Thank you very much, Senator Owens. So, listener Owens has made a motion, um, that we delete the title and body SB 98 and replace it, the second substitute, Senate Bill 98, substance use limitation. And so, Senator Plumb, um, we will

4. Committee chair30:38

   now address a second substitute. Second substitute. Yes. Time is yours.

5. Sen. Jen Plumb30:43

   Thank you very much, Madam Chair and members of the committee. I didn't vote in the motion. Sorry.

6. Committee chair30:47

   Oh, all in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Okay. Thank you.

7. Sen. Jen Plumb30:53

   We got there one way. I, I appreciate it. Uh, and, and I'll explain by way of as I'm presenting, um, the sub two essentially was, uh, came together by working with LRGC and LFA on ways to get funding, uh, that would be appropriate for this. And so, as we were working through different possibilities, and the great Russell Franzen brought, uh, a concept to us that was, uh, the way we would like to look at funding this, which is through some of our, uh, e-cigarette and, and vape funds that goes towards the impacts of substances. And so that sub number two added that fiscal piece into there. So this bill has come together, you know, when you look at an email trail of people that have been involved, and it's all those names that you really value and trust and have watched do work that is very impactful for people. This bill has come together like that for me, um, in the last, you know, decade or so, as I've surrounded myself and been lucky enough to be influenced and educated by people who help people on a path, uh, coming out of impacts of their substance use, you look to solutions. So you hope with, you start with prevention that someone doesn't end up there. But if they do end up in that space, you then look for ways to minimize what's happening to them and hopefully keep them alive and moving forward, getting healthier. Then you look towards treatment and then you look towards the next steps once they've treated their, completed their treatment, which is going on into their spaces of recovery. And that includes housing, and that includes getting jobs and being employed or getting education or, you know, keep moving forward. And there's been a, a movement that has kind of wanted to emphasize that we can actually do better by folks in employment spaces if we have some focus on what it means to have readiness and awareness of what people in recovery are going through, how to help them succeed, how to build climates around that. And, and there are a lot of employers who actually want to follow models like this. Utah has started down the path and there are some, uh, employers that are starting to get on board, but this is gonna be a long, I would guess, couple of decades long process for it. And rather than wait until, you know, the horses are outta the gates and they've already ran 52 different directions, we thought, why don't we build a little bit of a structure around this so that there's organization and thoughtfulness around it. And so this bill really aims to start out in the beginning phases by authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services, uh, to establish in working and consultation with the Department of Workforce Services, a certification program for employers to be certified as a red, a recovery ready workplace. And in that, um, will kind of go what a certification program looks like. What do the requirements look like? What are the expectations of the state so that someone can't just hang out a shingle and have it not actually mean anything. So that's really the gist of this bill. It's, it's pretty basic and it's a, uh, I think a good starting point. I have some folks here to speak to the whys and to the, what they're seeing of it. And, uh, open to questions.

8. Committee chair33:53

   Do I have any, Ooh, do I have any questions from the committee? Seeing no questions from the committee.

9. Committee chair34:07

   Uh, is there anyone from the public that would like to speak to this building? Two people. Okay. Three people. Okay. Thank you. Uh, you would introduce yourself, please. And, um, then, uh, tell the committee, uh, your thoughts.

10. Evan Doen, Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness34:23

    Yeah. Thank You Madam Chair. Uh, my name is Evan Doen. I'm the advocacy and Public policy Director for the Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness. I'm a person in long-term recovery, myself and us. My organization is a nationally certified recovery friendly, uh, workplace. Uh, we Wanna recognize the importance that employers play in, uh, people's everyday recovery. Uh, people spend so much of their lives at work, and to be able to have the support of your workplace when you're going through the recovery process is critical. We know that when we can intervene early and often in people's disease process, we can get them better sooner and faster. And ideally, if we can get people back on their feet and recovering from addiction while they still have a job and they still have critical health insurance to get treatment resources, that's gonna make all the difference in the world. So we thank the Senator for this bill, and we are very much in support of it. Thank you so much. Thank You.

11. Committee chair35:10

    Next.

12. Adam Cohen, Odyssey House of Utah35:17

    Good afternoon, Madam Chair and to the committee. Uh, I'm Mme. Cohen. I'm the president and CEO of Odyssey House, and I'm also the past president of the Utah Association of Behavioral Health Organizations. I'm here to speak on behalf of both organizations in support of this bill. Um, this bill acknowledges that people in with substance use disorders do recover, and they're, and they do re rejoin the workforce. People in recovery are exceptional workers and are eager to work, which is our collective goal. Um, the bill also acknowledges that early recovery is fragile, creating Recco recovery work. Recovery ready workplace certification allows employers to further attract people in recovery. And for those in recovery, this designation shows the workplace they'll be joining as a safe environment for them to both have gainful employment and continue their practice of new recovery skills and, and continue their treatment support. I support, I urge the committee to support this bill. Thank you very much.

13. Committee chair36:13

    Thank you. And make sure you sign in please. Next.

14. Melissa Cheng, physician36:19

    Hello, my name's Dr. Melissa Chen. I am a double boarded occupational medicine physician and an addiction medicine physician. I want you to know that this program has been in existence in 2018, first introduced by Dr. Uh, governor Sununu in New Hampshire. And there's a national movement for this. It has been recognized and adopted and even encouraged by the White House. And there's over a thousand employees nationwide pushing for this. So, from a business side, we know that this is business friendly because when you can get your re your most expensive resource, which is your personnel, healthier and able to be productive sooner and faster, it's business friendly. It makes sense for not only the community, but for the business at large. We know that it's cost effective. There's research on this that for every dollar spent on your employee to get healthier, they're more productive. And the, um, reduction in healthcare cost, workers' comp, injury rates, and overall productivity and decreases, um, absenteeism and it decreases, um, turnover, which we know is very expensive from a business standpoint. Thank you.

15. Committee chair37:35

    Thank you very much. Um, we have a Senator Owens.

16. Sen. Owens37:39

    Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I actually had a question for this witness. If Okay. Would you please come back up? Sorry. Thank you for coming and speaking to this and your work on this, Senator, uh, how I love this and the work that it is about to do. How do you balance supporting, um, people who were working through addiction, but also not saying that the workplace is a place where you can just have freely commit crime? Uh, how does that look?

17. Melissa Cheng, physician38:16

    The way, the way I would frame that out is that, you know, folks that have been through things, whether that's related to disease, related to illness, related to criminal justice involvement, related to life circumstances, any of them, right, um, are always gonna potentially have uniquenesses in the way that an employer in a workplace has to view them. I don't see this as anything that's trying to say, uh, like that there's removal of boundaries or different expectations. I see it more as how do you build up the supports? Yeah. How do you acknowledge that someone who's been through some stuff would benefit from A, B and C being part of their workplace culture, that having check-ins would be really valuable if they're performed in x, y, z ways. Yeah. And so, um, I definitely want it to be, uh, clear that this is not about trying to, you know, create a, a different class of employees or a different expectation on people's. It's just that there are uniquenesses that can really help a population be successful. And that's what I want us to support.

18. Sen. Owens39:23

    Thank you for that answer, doctor. I, I view this as the drug free workplace that has been around since Reagan 2.0. Where you cannot use drugs at work. You cannot sell drugs at work. You cannot do anything, right? But if you have a problem, you can go to HR and how do you find resources for help? 'cause right now, no one's talking about it. It's highly stigmatized. They may be using at work and they can't get help, right? Where this is, I need to stop, I want to be healthy. How do I do that? And this program allows HR businesses to really make the connection of programs exist. Help exists. How do we get it? It's using current existing FMLA policy. It's using current healthcare resources to really bridge when the employee needs it and the employer is offering it. Right? So you're not asking or adding anything more. Yeah. It's saying you have a problem, let's get you help. Think of it as Drug Free Workplace 2.0. I love that. Thank you Madam Chair.

19. Committee chair40:33

    Okay, thank you. I was gonna say,

20. Sen. Owens40:35

    I think there's also in particular fields and spaces or that, that are in particularly drawn to these kind of folks. And so I know both of, of you in the recovery and the treatment spaces, that's where people can really thrive, um, because of the lived experience. But again, it's, it's about how do we help people be successful? Not how do we, Yeah, I follow up. I, uh, I, that's the right answer and the right approach, but upfront, we also have to ask the question to make sure that that's where we're headed. And so that's why, And I think it's important clarification as well, like super important clarification.

21. Committee chair41:13

    We also have someone online, so, ah, uh, Cassie. No, I'm sorry. Dylan. Roko. Do turn your camera on, please. Dylan, do you, if you wish to see, please turn your camera on. There we go. All right. Can you see me and hear Me? Yes, we can. Thank you.

22. Dylan Soracco, Southern Utah University41:59

    Um, so my name is, and again, this is my first time doing this, so I might seem a little nervous, so just bear with me here. Um, my name's Dylan Rocco. I am a bachelor and social work student at Southern Utah University. I also work for Southwest Behavioral Health here in Southern Utah. And I also am a person that is in long-term recovery as well. And I do support this bill, and not only this bill, but the mindset that is behind this bill. Um, as somebody that's been on both sides of this, I see all the time that we can drag people into treatment, right? We can give 'em resources, we can give them tools, but when they are released back into the same environment, the chances of these people succeeding is dramatically decreased. So being able to have a program like this to where it reduces stigma, um, gives workplace education, stuff like that, I've had to better help these individuals. Um, I think it allows them a better chance to succeed. Um, and also having professionals on the front lines as well, to be able to come in and speak on behalf of these bills, to be able to see what we see, um, I think is also very beneficial. Um, I've been on the other side of it as well, of trying to get employment and kind of feeling like your past is gonna be held against you in a sense. And it's really hard to try to rebuild your foundation and succeed. And I really believe that having a bill like this, and again, the mindset is based behind it, um, you know, tells addicts that we get you, we see you and we hear you, and we understand that addiction is not just an individual issue, it's a systemic issue as well.

23. Committee chair43:45

    Thank you. Appreciate that. And I really appreciate your taking time to come in online and, and share your own experiences, so thank you. Okay. Um, I'm gonna return now to the committee, um, for discussion. Uh, Senator Juab.

24. Sen. Karen Kwan44:05

    Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that, uh, we pass out favorably, SB 98 second sub, uh, to the full body of the Senate.

25. Committee chair44:14

    Okay. So we have a motion to pass out, second substitute Senate bill 98 substance use rehabilitation amendments to the full body of the Senate. Uh, is there any discussion to that motion? Seeing none, uh, would you like to sum Senator Plumb? Well,

26. Sen. Jen Plumb44:32

    I'll wave and just express my gratitude. Thank you all,

27. Committee chair44:35

    Uh, Senator Kwan.

28. Sen. Karen Kwan44:37

    It, it's a good program. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Uh,

29. Committee chair44:40

    all in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

House Health and Human Services Committee, Feb 24, 2026

1. Committee chair2:30:50

   Let's a rest. Senate bill 98 sub two substance use Rehabil Rehabilitation Amendments with Senator Plumb. All right. And I'm actually just texting. There was a, a doc who was here earlier and then had to go, had some patient, um, responsibilities but wanted to get online. So I'm just quick texting them to get online. Um, Dr. Chen, if, if you happen to see her name pop up, that's she's someone I, that can even co-present with me if, if she does pop up.

2. Sen. Jen Plumb2:31:16

   Okay. Lemme go to 98. Here we go. So, substance use rehabilitation amendments. Uh, it's always interesting to me, the titles that come out, um, is a bill that has come together with the hope that we can start, um, advancing policy around a recovery ready workplace concept in Utah. And Dr. Chen described, as she described in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, uh, described this as sort of a, a reboot boot and a regrowth of something that was called, uh, Drug-Free Workplace. So this is kind of like drug-Free Workplace 2.0 and, and what the hope of recovery ready workplaces is. And, and some of these spots are, um, places where perhaps folks that have gone through and are on the, a journey of their substance use, um, path that they are more drawn to say that's in sober living or in places like recovery centers or, you know, certain places where these folks may be drawn. That there are ways to help establish the workplace, the rules, the boundaries so that these folks can optimize their likelihood of success. We are starting to see it here, uh, come together in Utah. And, and the thought with this bill is that rather than be back here in four years when we say, uh, this got in the wrong direction on the wrong rails and we have to rebuild and re and undo, let's put something together well from the start that has, um, definitions and oversight and guidance set up and expectations. Um, and so that's what this bill does. It essentially authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to establish, uh, in consultation with DWS, this certification program for employers to become certified this way. And also, um, then to kind of start setting up what that process looks like. What would the application process look like? What would the criteria be? Um, it does grant the department rulemaking authority, and I think importantly we found a way to fund it. So there is a $0 fiscal note on this. Um, with that being said, I don't know if Dr. Chen jumped online or not. Uh, that would be wonderful. Ah, Dr. Chen would be wonderful to have you do your description. You are so much more eloquent than me when you describe it.

3. Dr. Melissa Cheng, occupational medicine physician2:33:31

   Thank you. Thank you. Senator Plumb. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Dr. Melissa Chen and I'm an occupational medicine physician, meaning I'm a specialty that focuses on preventing and helping people stay healthy at work, treating job related injuries and illnesses, ensuring it's safe for them to do their job. I'm also an addiction medicine physician, and I support this bill 'cause I strongly believe in the recovery friendly workplace. Since its founding in 2018, we've seen that recovery friendly workplace makes solid business sense because aligns employee wellbeing with operational performance and practical in employer focused ways by promoting policies that support prevention, early detection, treatment and recovery from substance use disorders, organizations retain experienced workers, reduce costly turnover and minimize disruptions caused by absenteeism, presenteeism, and workplace injuries. So recovery supportive practices are business friendly. They focus on confidentiality, clear performance, um, expectations and evidence-based accommodations rather than punitive measures and enabling employers to manage risk while maintaining productivity. Alright, so companies that adopt recovery friendly workplace principles also experience downstream reduction in healthcare utilization and workers' compensation costs by addressing substance use early. Okay. Before it develops a more severe, costly medical and safety issues. Ultimately, recovery friendly workplace enhances workforce stability, boosts morale and engagement, and provides measurable benefits through a healthier and more dependable and more productive workplace. And when this bill passes, I'm already in discussions with the University of Utah, department of Mining and Engineering who have strong connections with mining industries to optimize and really move this forward to adopt recovery friendly workplace policies. Mining is a critical industry in Utah, yet recruiting and retaining skilled minors is increasingly challenging, making workforce stability and health essential to operational success. By being able to adopt something like the recovery friendly workplace, we can help companies keep experienced workers safe, productive, and engaged by addressing substance use proactively rather than losing employees to preventable illnesses. Disease and turnover. The approach is particularly important in rural Utah where much of the mining workforce is based and where labor pools in limited and access to healthcare, especially addiction and mental health services, is often constrained by supporting recovery and maintaining employment. Mining companies can also reduce turnover, improve productivity, and mitigate healthcare and workers' compensation costs while strengthening the economic resilience of rural communities that depend on these jobs. So as you can see, this bill is very important and there's already movement to get this in action. Thank you.

4. Committee chair2:36:32

   Thank you. Does that conclude your presentation?

5. Unknown speaker2:36:34speaker not certain

   It does, I think. Thanks. Oh, sorry. Sorry to both of you. I guess We're looking right at each other and Yeah. Yeah. Hard to see here. It does,

6. Committee chair2:36:41

   it does look like we have a question from the committee. Representative Ward. Thank you.

7. Rep. Raymond P. Ward2:36:45

   Could you just give some examples of the, of a policy? I mean, you've used some beautiful language describing how we hope it turns out well, but nuts and bolts. What are some policies that you say, I wish employers had this policy in place?

8. Sen. Jen Plumb2:37:01

   Well, and I don't know if Dr. Chen is there as, uh, to speak to it as well, but I, I think that someone who's more experienced in what that actually looks like would be much better person to answer it. Uh, sure. Evan do is here, if that's okay to add him to my presentation. Evan Donn, Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness.

9. Evan Done, Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness2:37:16

   We are a nationally certified recovery friendly employer. And some of the policies that we, we kind of took on as an employer are, one, having Naloxone on hand, two, having an employee resource group for, uh, people at recovery.

10. Rep. Raymond P. Ward2:37:26

    Uh, three what, so what that thing is, what is just a, a 12 step program? What does that mean? What did you just what, what does that thing you just said?

11. Evan Done, Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness2:37:34

    Yeah. So yeah, it's like having a cohort of employees that identify as people in recovery that can talk to one another that can, uh, there's champions for recovery on staff. There are people identified on, on staff. It's internal to the company. They uhhuh create a mini 12 step support group. Not, not necessarily 12 step one, but a mini group support group for this support group. Okay. Alright. There's also things like having, um, like return to work policies after a person's experienced, an episode of treatment and what that looks like, how to structure that. So for somebody so that there's, uh, procedures in place, uh, on company like, you know, policies and procedures, manuals about other than, other than, I mean, any person who's off for a medical reason, you know, has certain things that they follow.

12. Rep. Raymond P. Ward2:38:11

    Right. What policies do you wish were different for, I mean, yeah.

13. Evan Done, Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness2:38:15

    'cause so a lot of times those people have ongoing treatment needs, right? And so they'll have to go to outpatient treatment, or they'll have, so working with their employer to make sure that they know that there's gonna be some continual like check-ins with their groups or check check-ins with outpatient therapy or treatment. Um, so that's kind of a continual process.

14. Rep. Raymond P. Ward2:38:31

    Is that different from a baseline FMLA process? I mean, all, whether that person has goes hand in Yeah.

15. Evan Done, Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness2:38:36

    Goes hand in hand. Yeah. I mean, companies have to follow FMLA.

16. Rep. Raymond P. Ward2:38:41

    Is this different from following FMLA?

17. Evan Done, Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness2:38:43

    It, it, it's part of following FMLA, certainly, right? But like all too often employers become aware of what the issue at hand is, right? And so they don't necessarily, like with FMLA, like they could, you know, say that they're just having a medical procedure, right? But this, like, if the employer were to be aware that this person is going undergoing substance use treatment, sometimes there's stigma associated with that. And so having some additional policies and procedures in place to kinda protect that person. I think Dr. Chen was maybe trying to, It's, it's having a protocol in place. Part of becoming a recovery friendly workplace is making sure you have certain protocols in place. And that is, if they come in and say, Hey, I need help. I, or my child or my spouse has some type of addiction, there is already a protocol that we work with them, which is great. You will see an addiction medicine specialist, or you have this type of inpatient, it's already creating the pathways out there that a lot of employers don't have. 'cause they don't know what to do, right? So making sure that they have the protocols and we work with them to make the protocols. They already offer healthcare. So it's saying, okay, with your healthcare needs, this is the number to call to see which inpatient is within network. And then here's the paperwork for FMLA. If you need inpatient when you come back, how do we continue this? So it's utilizing the services that already exist, like health benefits and FMLA and EAP, but creating a program for them to then start checking the box. It's paving the way for them that it makes it easy and no company has to do it alone. And if I might add, I think that part of it that we see with folks that are in this space is that you, you wanna catch someone on the very beginning of, uh, perhaps a recurrence of use or of things are starting, the tide's turning a little bit, you wanna catch it when it's barely starting to turn, as opposed to when it's four weeks later and things have completely fallen apart and someone's gotten themself arrested. Or they've, you know, they've done something that's gotten themselves or someone else at work injured and setting up these protocols. And, and these systems are making it an environment where someone can say, whether that's the employer or another colleague or a cohort to be like, let's talk about what's going on with you. You good? Do we need to be looking at the next steps so that we are supporting that person on their recovery? 'cause some days it's just, you know what? Today's a crap day and I need someone else to talk to. Other days it might be like, you know what? I need help right now and we need to help me get to the next level. And I think that's one of the things along our journey in this, um, increased recognition of substance use disorders and getting through it, is that first it was like, all right, we gotta get 'em detox, we gotta get 'em off, and then we've gotta get 'em. Boy, we gotta, then we gotta get 'em in treatment. Okay, well, those are two totally separate things. Well, then we gotta get 'em in recovery. Okay, well, what does recovery mean? Well, it means it's an ongoing journey. How do I keep my family together? How do I keep a job together? How do I keep a roof over my head? How do I make sure that I'm still taking care of the things that got me to be in recovery in the first place? And I think we've gotten pretty good on those first ends. It's this recovery piece and keeping people in recovery that it's now time to build on, at least from my external eyes. Yeah, I think one of the worst outcomes we see as a result of someone's substance use disorder is that they lose their job. They get fired, and then they lose their employer sponsored health insurance as part of that. Then they have no resources whatsoever to get help. Um, and so this is hopefully helping employers to intervene earlier in the process when that person still has health insurance coverage to get them into treatment.

18. Committee chair2:42:12

    Awesome. Thank you. Is that any, any further questions? Representative Ward? See the Wheels?

19. Rep. Raymond P. Ward2:42:17

    Well, I do have one other question. So when the company gets certified, so this is telling the department to set up a certification process, and then the company's gonna do things, and then they're gonna get a stamp that says, you're certified. You did the things. Then what benefit accrues to the company because they got the stamp of approval. Does the department give them a thing or congratulate them? Or Wayne, what happens to the company as a result of going through the certification process?

20. Evan Done, Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness2:42:41

    It's bragging rights, right? And then they can tell prospective employees that they're a recovery friendly workplace.

21. Rep. Raymond P. Ward2:42:47speaker not certain

    Okay. And especially in those spaces where folks in recovery are particularly gravitating to, like I said, sober living and recovery centers that you would, I would think would be drawn to someplace that's gonna be a piece and a part of your continued recovery process. Um, doesn't have to be every business, doesn't have to be every single one. Certainly could be, but I think in this starting phase, that's what I envision. It's those spaces in particular where you have a lot of folks that would fit that mold. Okay. Thanks. And then representative fat,

22. Unknown speaker2:43:18speaker not certain

    Um, I'll make it quick. At face value, the public might see this as, hey, we're diverting funding from, uh, you know, from vaping and, um, nicotine prevention and control to fund a workplace certification program. Can you, uh, what assurance do we have that this redirection is justified and and won't dilute resources for direct prevention or treatment?

23. Sen. Jen Plumb2:43:39speaker not certain

    Yeah, no, and I, I think that that is, uh, both an, uh, possible expected as well as a, a realistic question. And to me, prevention looks like a lot of different things. And prevention may look like the beginning of, before somebody ever gets themself into a space with substances, whether that's nicotine, whether that's alcohol, whether that's other prescription pills or illicit substances. Sometimes prevention looks like that very early before anybody touches it. Sometimes prevention looks like, all right, how do we prevent or ameliorate further harms instead of allowing people to go further and further down the struggle that they've had with substances. Um, I, I, for me, prevention looks like a whole lot of things. And if we can keep people employed out of hospitals, keep families together and out of our criminal justice system, that's a, that's a, to me, a very reasonable and worthwhile prevention investment.

24. Committee chair2:44:30

    I'm not seeing anything else from the committee. Is there anyone in the public that would like to speak to this bill? Have one in person. Anybody online? Okay. I'm gonna give you a minute and a half for public comment if you'll make sure to tell us your name and who you represent, please.

25. Adam Cohen, President and CEO, Odyssey House2:44:47

    I will be quick. Uh, good afternoon. Uh, I'm Adam Cohen. I'm the president and CEO of Odyssey House. And I'm also the past president of the Utah Association of, uh, behavioral Health Organizations. I'm here to speak in support of Senate Bill 98 on behalf of both organizations, this bill acknowledges that people with substance use disorders do recover and rejoin the workforce. People in recovery are exceptional workers and are eager to work, which is our collective goal. The bill also acknowledges that early recovery is fragile. Creating a recovery ready for workplace certification allows for employers to further attract people in recovery for those in recovery. This designation shows that the workplace they'll be joining is a safe environment for them to both have gainful employment and continue to practice their new recovery skills and continued treatment support. I urge you all to, um, favorably recommend, uh, Senate Bill 98. And I guess to your question, Representative Ward, um, this would be something that like, if there were employers that we, um, that were certified, we would refer our clients to those employers as per as perspective places where they could go. And then also as some other examples would be that we would define a benefit plan or, or select a benefit plan that covers substance use disorder or behavioral health conditions, or have naloxone on site. So those kind of things. So thank you.

26. Committee chair2:46:15

    Awesome. Thank you. Anyone else from the public not seeing any will close public comment and go back to the committee for action or further discussion? Rick Clancy.

27. Rep. Clancy2:46:31

    Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a motion that we pass this bill out of the committee with a favorable recommendation.

28. Committee chair2:46:37

    That motion is in order. Would you like to speak to it?

29. Rep. Clancy2:46:40

    I think there's been a lot of great discussion, and I def I'm a, I support, uh, the bill And to the bill sponsor. I, I, I sometimes you feel like these dis like you have discussions and it's the start of something. And that's kind of how this feels to me. And I'm, I remain hopeful that this next phase of our dealing with substance use disorder crisis is that we support people staying on the better path instead of back and forthing into the, the stop spots. So I would appreciate your support and look forward to seeing where this goes.

30. Committee chair2:47:10

    Thank you. And to the committee not seeing any back to the maker of the motion. Um,

31. Unknown speaker2:47:15speaker not certain

    I just second what the good senator from Salt Lake said that, um, let's keep, keep trying to do what we can to build a better path forward to keep let on their path of recovery. And it's, uh, I, I'll, I'll quote it again. The great conservative philosopher, uh, president Bill Clinton said the best social program is a job. And I really believe that, you know, when people feel like they're doing meaningful work, um, that that goes a long way. And so if we can create some good best practices to help employers with, uh, helping people get on the right track, I think that's a great step forward.

32. Committee chair2:47:49

    Thank you. See no further discussion. We'll now vote on the motion, which is to favorably recommend, um, Senate Bill 98 sub two. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Say no. That motion passes. Thank you.

33. Unknown speaker2:48:05speaker not certain

    Likewise. Thank you guys.

Senate floor, Feb 13, 2026

1. Sen. Jen Plumb1:22:12

   of excited about Utah moving forward in the space of a recovery ready workplace is a place that supports with kind of some unique nuances, the needs of people who are coming through their substance use disorder space, reentering the world and kind of rejoining life. We know from dealing in this space that there's a process of, first you come out into recovery, then you work through your recovery, and as you're getting better, you're rejoining other spaces of your life, you're reintegrating with your family. If you weren't there, you're getting back into the workplace. And as you're doing, so, if there are particular spaces where there are a lot of folks in recovery, the best thing we can do is set it up with an eye to how to be responsible, have boundaries, have expectations, but also have great supports in place. If any of you remember the drug free workplace campaigns that were before, this is like 2.0 of that. This is the next incarnation. And so this bill, essentially what it does is it, it sets Utah on a path of setting up within the Department of Health and Human Services, um, a pathway for the recovery ready workplace to be in existence. It's barely starting to take hold here. And I think that as we've learned in many other spaces, if you can get some rules and guardrails set up before so that it doesn't go rogue and we have to go back and and fix some things, that's the best strategy. We figured out a great funding mechanism. And I, like I said, working with Representative Clancy in the house. I'm excited for the potential that this offers people. With that, I am open to any questions.

2. President Adams (presiding)1:23:52

   Thank you for that presentation. Is there a discussion to this bill? Seeing none, Senator Plumb back to you for submission or motion.

3. Sen. Jen Plumb1:24:01

   Thank you, Mr. President ProAm. I'd call the question And the question is, shall second substitute Senate bill 98? Be read for a third time. Roll call vote.

4. Unknown speaker1:24:09speaker not certain

   Senator Vickers Baldy Lewin Brammer Bus Cullimore Escamilla Aye. Bill Moore. Grover Harper Aye. Hankins Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson Re Aye. Quan Aye. McKay, Mikel Milner Musman Owens Picture Plum Rebe Sandal Stevenson Stratton Bickers Weiler Aye. Wilson I two Winterton.

5. President Adams (presiding)1:25:22

   President Adams Second substitute Senate Bill 98. Having received 18 yay votes two nay votes. Nine being absent will be read for a third time.

Senate floor, Feb 17, 2026

1. Presiding officer (President Pro Tem)1:06:54

   Do we have discussion to this bill? Seeing none. Senator Plumb back to you for summation or a motion.

2. Sen. Jen Plumb1:07:00

   Uh, thank you Mr. President ProAm. I would call the question and

3. Presiding officer (President Pro Tem)1:07:02

   The question is, shall second substitute Senate Bill 98 pass Roll call vote.

4. Senate clerk (roll call)1:07:07

   Senator Vickers Baldy Lewin Brammer Bus Comore. Ms. Gaia Fillmore Grover Harper Aye. Hankins Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson. Aye. Juab McKay Mikel Milner Musselman Owens Pitcher Plum Aye. Rebe Sandal Stevenson Stratton Vicars Weiler Wilson Aye. Winterton President Adams

5. Presiding officer (President Pro Tem)1:07:48

   Second substitute Sand Bill 98. Having received 24 a votes, zero nay votes five being absent passes the Senate will be sent to the house for further consideration.

6. Sen. Jen Plumb1:08:06

   Senator Plumb. Senator Plumb, Thank you again, Mr. President Pro Tem. This bill establishes a purple alert.

House floor, Feb 26, 2026