Citizen Portal
Sign In

Senate committee backs recovery-ready workplace certification in SB 98

Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · January 28, 2026

Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts

Subscribe
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee voted unanimously to send a second substitute of SB 98 to the full Senate. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services, with Workforce Services, to create a certification for ‘recovery-ready’ workplaces and includes fiscal language to use certain e-cigarette-related funds.

A Senate committee on Tuesday approved a second substitute for Senate Bill 98, a measure that would authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in consultation with the Department of Workforce Services, to create a certification program for employers designated as "recovery-ready workplaces." The committee passed the bill to the full Senate by voice vote.

Sponsor and supporters told the committee the measure is intended to reduce stigma and help people in early recovery stay employed. The sponsor said the sub 2 was developed "by working with LRC and LFA" and added fiscal language to fund the initiative from e-cigarette impact funds. "This bill aims to start out in the beginning phases by authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services ... to establish ... a certification program for employers to be certified as a recovery ready workplace," the sponsor said.

Advocates and providers testified in favor. Evan Doan of Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness said workplaces are critical: "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." Adam Cohen, president and CEO of Odyssey House, urged support, saying the certification "allows employers to further attract people in recovery." Dr. Melissa Chen, an occupational and addiction medicine physician, said similar programs have existed since 2018 and noted national recognition: "There's over 1,000 employees nationwide pushing for this."

A student and worker in recovery, Dylan Sirocco, described lived experience and urged the committee not to lose sight of workplace culture and stigma reduction: "Being able to have a program like this ... reduces stigma, gives workplace education." Committee members asked questions about balancing workplace safety and supports; witnesses framed the proposal as complementary to existing drug-free workplace rules rather than a loosening of expectations for conduct on the job.

Senator Quan moved to pass SB 98 sub 2 favorably to the full Senate; the motion carried unanimously. The bill will next be considered by the full Senate.