Senate approves wide slate of bills Feb. 17; conversion-therapy, holiday, and tech bills among those passed

The Utah Senate on Feb. 17 advanced and passed a large group of bills across its concurrence and third-reading calendars, returning many measures to the House for the Speaker's signature.

Among the bills approved, Senator Harper moved that the third substitute to Senate Bill 56, a child-welfare amendments package that clarifies fines the court must impose when a nonrelative placement is made, pass; the Senate recorded 25 yea, 0 nay, 4 absent and the bill was returned to the House.

Senator Fillmore explained the House removed fireworks language from second substitute Senate Bill 46 (state holiday modifications); the Senate concurred and passed the bill 26 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent.

On professional conduct, Senator Bramble described second substitute House Bill 228, which defines conversion therapy and prohibits healthcare professionals from providing conversion therapy to minors while allowing neutral, supportive counseling and treatment related to gender transition. The Senate approved the bill by roll call, 27 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent.

The Senate also approved a package of bills touching health, public safety and commerce: among them, third substitute House Bill 72 (medical cannabis governance revisions) passed (24 yea, 0 nay, 5 absent); Senate Bill 66 (streamlined dismissal for criminal citations issued in error) passed (26 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent); and a set of committee-reported measures were placed on the second-reading calendar for future action.

On economic development, second substitute House Bill 42 (technology commercialization amendments) passed after floor discussion about funding sources and investment risk; sponsor Senator Milner and colleagues said the money would come from the state's existing Fund of Funds rather than the general fund, and the measure passed 19 yea, 6 nay, 4 absent.

Several other bills and resolutions were read, substituted or circled for future consideration and a number of guests — including youth councils and families of fallen service members — were honored during the session. The Senate recessed until 2 p.m. at the close of the day's business.

Votes at a glance

- Third substitute Senate Bill 56 (child welfare amendments): passed, 25 yeas, 0 nays, 4 absent (moved by Senator Harper).
- Second substitute Senate Bill 46 (state holiday modifications): passed, 26 yeas, 0 nays, 3 absent (sponsor Senator Fillmore).
- Second substitute House Bill 228 (professional conduct — conversion therapy): passed, 27 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent (sponsor Senator Bramble).
- Second substitute House Bill 42 (technology commercialization): passed, 19 yeas, 6 nays, 4 absent (sponsor Senator Milner).
- Third substitute House Bill 72 (medical cannabis governance): passed, 24 yeas, 0 nays, 5 absent (sponsor Senator Vickers).

What happens next: Most passed measures will be returned to the House for the Speaker's signature or moved to the next calendar stage as noted when each vote concluded. Several items were circled for additional review and some bills were scheduled to a time certain for further floor consideration.