March 26, 2025
Hello Team Commerce,
With the arrival of spring, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the key outcomes of the recent legislative session. Understanding the implications of these new bills is crucial for our work moving forward. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our leadership and team members who collaborated with me and our legislators on numerous bills throughout the 2025 session. Your dedication and collaborative efforts were instrumental in achieving significant legislative advancements that will shape the future of the Department of Commerce and Utah. I want to provide some context on what these bills mean for our work here at Commerce. Here are some highlights:
- Modernizing the Digital Landscape: HB418 will positively impact Utahns by focusing on social media data portability and interoperability, which is cross-platform interaction. First, it empowers individuals by granting them greater control over their social media data. This includes making it easier to transfer data between platforms and to delete data within a social media database.
Second, it creates a more competitive and consumer-friendly digital environment. By requiring social media companies to implement data interoperability interfaces and establish requirements for data sharing, HB 418 breaks down barriers between platforms. This allows users to move their data and networks more freely, potentially leading to increased competition and innovation.
Third, the bill enhances data security. Allowing users to transfer or delete their data ultimately gives them more control over their personal information. It reduces the risk of that data being held indefinitely or misused by a single platform.
Finally, HB 418 provides regulatory oversight by granting the Division of Consumer Protection rulemaking and enforcement authority. This ensures that social media companies comply with the new data portability and interoperability requirements, protecting Utahns’ digital rights.
- Enhancing Protections for Users of AI Mental Health Chatbots: HB 452 provides several key benefits by regulating AI mental health chatbots. First, it grants DCP enforcement authority, which ensures user safety and data protection in this emerging field. Second, the bill establishes protections for users, specifically prohibiting the sale or sharing of identifiable health information and user input, with limited exceptions for scientific research, healthcare providers with consent, and health plans upon user request. Third, it mandates transparency by requiring clear disclosure that these mental health chatbots are AI and not human, and it also requires specific disclosures to users in advertising. Finally, the bill sets requirements for creating and maintaining policies for the chatbots and creates rebuttable presumptions for suppliers who comply with these policy requirements.
- Improving Massage Therapy Standards: HB 278 significantly enhances the massage therapy industry by requiring business registration and strengthening licensing standards. This includes stricter licensure requirements for trainers, improved consumer protection through inspections and background checks, and clear accountability for misconduct. The Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) can now conduct inspections and require criminal background checks for establishment owners. This will lead to more transparent accountability with established penalties for unlawful or unprofessional conduct.
- Modernizing Cosmetology and Barbering Regulations: SB 330 modernizes cosmetology and barbering regulations in Utah by streamlining licensing processes and creating new opportunities. It establishes “micro licenses” for specialized services, like nails and eyelash extensions, and reduces required training hours from 1,600 to 1,250. The bill also “grandfathers” existing licenses and offers options to maintain higher training for master barber licenses with chemical service training. These changes aim to create a more dynamic and accessible environment for professionals in the cosmetology and barbering industries.
These legislative achievements reflect our department’s commitment to protecting consumers, eliminating unnecessary regulatory barriers, and ensuring we have appropriate guardrails for technologically driven products and services while also fostering innovation. The changes brought about by these bills will allow us to operate more effectively, address emerging challenges, and make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication and hard work. Your efforts are essential to our success, and these legislative wins are a testament to your commitment to excellence.
Warm Regards,
Margaret Busse
