26B-7-127. Recovery ready workplace certification program.

421 words·~2 min read·/ut/title-26b/chapter-7/26b-7-127

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/6/2026

(1)As used in this section:

(a)"Employee" means a person who performs a service for wages or other remuneration under a contract of hire, written or oral, express or implied.

(b)"Employer" means a person who has one or more employees employed in the same business, or in or about the same establishment, under any contract of hire, express or implied, oral or written.

(c)"Opiate antagonist" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-4-501 .

(d)"Recovery ready workforce certification program" means the program that the department may establish under Subsection

(2), through which an employer may be certified as a recovery ready workplace.

(e)"Recovery ready workplace" means an employer that has completed the requirements established by the department under this section to be certified.

(f)"Substance use disorder" means the recurrent use of alcohol or drugs that causes clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, or failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.

(2)Within appropriations from the Legislature for this purpose, the department may, in consultation with the Department of Workforce Services, establish a recovery ready workplace certification program.

(3)If the department establishes a recovery ready workplace certification program, the department:

(a)may seek federal sources of funding for the recovery ready workplace certification program; and

(b)shall establish:

(i)a process through which an employer may apply to be certified as a recovery ready workplace; and

(ii)criteria for an employer to be certified as a recovery ready workplace, which may include requiring the employer to:

(A)establish a program to:

(I)prevent employees' exposure to workplace factors that could cause or perpetuate a substance use disorder;

(II)lower barriers to an employee seeking or receiving care for substance use disorder and maintaining recovery from substance use disorder;

(III)educate the employer's employees, including supervisors, on issues related to substance use disorder; and

(IV)reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorder;

(B)collaborate with employees in establishing the program described in Subsection (3)(b)(ii)(A) ;

(C)make opiate antagonists available at the workplace;

(D)provide resources and information to employees related to substance use disorder;

(E)implement policies and practices that promote and support employee health, wellness, and work-life balance; and

(F)implement policies and practices that support employees who seek treatment.

(4)The department may make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to implement this section.

Enacted by Chapter 426 , 2026 General Session