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Better Utah Bill Tracker
2026 Interim Session

S.B. 147

Signed into Law

Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments

SB0147S03 (Substitute)

Sen. Luz Escamilla
Sen. Luz EscamillaBill Sponsor
Rep. Norman K Thurston
View on le.utah.gov
S.B. 147Signed into Law

Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments

Senate
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House
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Governor

What This Bill Does

This bill addresses oversight of the Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services.

Key Provisions

This bill:

  • establishes the Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services (office) as an office within the Department of Government Operations (department);
  • removes the office as an independent entity subject to Title 63H, Independent State Entities;
  • amends the office's audit and other responsibilities;
  • requires the office to submit a budget for the office to the department;
  • requires the executive director of the department (executive director) to:
    • establish performance metrics for the office;
    • establish a process for employees and members of the public to report concerns to the executive director;
    • report the concerns to an advisory board; and
    • report to the advisory board on the office's performance based on performance metrics;
  • requires the inspector general of Medicaid services (inspector general) to:
    • submit an annual report to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee;
    • collaborate with the Office of the Legislative Auditor General; and
    • present certain information at meetings of the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee and the Health and Human Services Interim Committee;
  • requires the executive director to create an advisory board to:
    • promote coordination of Medicaid program integrity activities;
    • make recommendations regarding audit prioritization to the office and the department;
    • review employee concerns reported to the executive director;
    • make recommendations regarding improving the office's performance to the inspector general, the executive director, and the Legislature;
    • review the office's annual risk assessment and the office's annual audit plan;
    • review limitations that impede the office's ability to appropriately conduct audits; and
    • review agencies' implementation of the office's audit recommendations;
  • provides a sunset date for the advisory board and related provisions;
  • defines terms; and
  • makes technical and conforming changes.

Plain-Language Summary

AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.

Utah's Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services — the state agency responsible for detecting fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicaid program — currently operates as an independent entity, meaning it functions largely outside the direct oversight of any executive branch department. This bill moves that office into the Department of Government Operations, removing its independent status and placing it under the executive director's supervision. The executive director gains new responsibilities including setting performance metrics for the office, creating a formal process for employees and the public to report concerns anonymously, and establishing an advisory board that meets at least twice a year to review audit plans, examine workplace concerns, and make recommendations to the office, the department, and the Legislature. The inspector general is also required to report annually to legislative appropriations committees, present findings at interim committee meetings, and regularly update the Legislative Auditor General on audit activities. The advisory board and related reporting requirements are set to expire in 2029.