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Senate advances patient-brokering ban for substance-use treatment
Summary
The Senate moved House Bill 14 forward after sponsor testimony that the measure addresses national and local concerns about companies steering vulnerable patients into treatment for profit; the clerk reported 27 yeas and the bill advanced to third reading.
The Utah Senate advanced House Bill 14, a measure aimed at outlawing or restricting "patient brokering" — practices in which third parties refer or steer people seeking substance use disorder treatment to specific programs for payment. Senator Davis, the sponsor on the floor, said the bill grew from state-level task-force work and national attention and described support from local treatment providers, advocacy groups and a major insurer.
"One of the findings of [a recent congressional hearing] was that because substance use disorder treatment programs are licensed by the states, the states should address the issue with legislation," Senator Davis said in floor remarks. He told colleagues HB 14 responds to industry and patient-family testimony and said the measure is modeled on approaches other states have taken.
On the floor the sponsor moved that the bill be read for a third time; the clerk announced the count as 27 yea votes, 0 nay votes and 2 absent. The transcript excerpt does not include the final engrossment language or implementation timelines; the bill was advanced to the third-reading calendar for final passage.
Supporters on the floor framed the bill as a protection for vulnerable people and families seeking care; they also cited earlier hearings and investigative reporting that raised concerns about deceptive or coercive referral practices. The sponsor said the measure has backing from local providers and the Utah chapter of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, as well as payers.
Next steps: HB 14 proceeds to third reading for final passage procedures; detailed definitions, penalties, and implementation elements (licensing adjustments, regulatory enforcement) will be resolved in the final-engrossed text and accompanying fiscal notes.
