HB 434: Health and Human Services Amendments - Utah

Amended 2/14/2025 10:02:628 → Substitute #1 · 10 edits

MAJOR

This bill amends the Department of Health and Human Services code to modernize administrative structures, clarify audit authorities, update emergency response protocols, and revise mental health and child support provisions. The changes reflect organizational reorganizations, updated statutory references, and new operational requirements for staff screening and crisis response.

Scope change

The bill applies to the Department of Health and Human Services and its divisions, including updates to school safety programs, mental health crisis services, and child support administration.

REQUIREMENT

Updated qualifications for the executive director and deputy directors to require specific public health experience and education.

Expanded background check requirements to include access to abuse and neglect information for employees and volunteers.

Created new school guardian program with specific training requirements and firearm storage protocols.

Revised fetal death certificate and early term stillbirth certificate procedures and requirements.

Established requirements for mobile crisis outreach team certification and training standards.

ENFORCEMENT

Authorized the department to examine and audit expenditures of public funds provided to local health departments and related authorities.

Updated provisions regarding rationing criteria procedures and emergency circumstances.

DEFINITION

Renamed the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to the Division of Integrated Healthcare and created the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health.

Updated references from 'targeted case management' to 'case managers' throughout the code.

TIMELINE

Updated effective dates and review schedules for child support guidelines and various administrative provisions.

Amended Excerpts 2/14/2025 10:02:628 → Amended 2/14/2025 10:02:628 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill consolidates and reorganizes the Department of Health and Human Services by merging the former Departments of Health and Human Services into one unified entity. It updates numerous code sections to reflect this structural change, clarifies the department's duties and authority, and makes technical updates to various administrative provisions including fetal death certificate requirements and professional licensing access.

Scope change

The bill significantly changes the organizational scope by merging two separate departments into one consolidated Department of Health and Human Services, affecting all programs and services previously administered by either department.

SCOPE

Consolidates the Department of Health and Department of Human Services into a single Department of Health and Human Services with combined policymaking and regulatory authority.

REQUIREMENT

Updates fetal death certificate requirements to specify that the designated representative must prepare and file the certificate, with attending physicians, physician assistants, or certified nurse midwives stating the cause of death.

Allows the department executive director to create committees within the department subject to certain conditions and requirements.

ENFORCEMENT

Gives the Department of Health and Human Services authority to examine and audit expenditures of public funds provided to local health departments.

TECHNICAL

Updates numerous Utah Code section references to reflect the new departmental structure and renumbered statutes from previous legislative sessions.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/14/2025 10:02:628 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) code to modernize organizational structure, expand audit authority over local health departments, update qualifications for leadership, and clarify emergency response and school safety protocols. Key changes include renaming divisions, adding audit powers for public fund expenditures, updating mental health crisis response training, and establishing a school guardian program with specific firearms training requirements.

Scope change

The bill expands DHHS authority to audit local health department expenditures and clarifies the scope of mobile crisis outreach teams and school safety personnel roles.

REQUIREMENT

Updated executive director qualifications to require a master's degree in public health or public administration if not a physician, with specific experience requirements.

Established a school guardian program requiring annual firearms training, mental health screening, and specific safety protocols for school employees.

Created a statewide database for vulnerable adult abuse reports with restricted access for licensing and background check purposes.

ENFORCEMENT

Added authority for DHHS to examine and audit public fund expenditures of local health departments, substance abuse authorities, and mental health authorities.

DEFINITION

Renamed 'targeted case management' to 'case managers' and updated references to reflect current office names within DHHS.

TIMELINE

Updated effective dates for various provisions, with most changes taking effect May 7, 2025.

SCOPE

Expanded mobile crisis outreach team certification requirements and clarified coordination between law enforcement, EMS, and mental health professionals.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Utah Health and Human Services Code to update organizational structures, clarify authority over public funds, and modernize various administrative and operational provisions within the Department of Health and Human Services. The changes reflect ongoing legislative efforts to consolidate functions, improve oversight, and align code references with current departmental names and responsibilities.

Scope change

The bill expands the department's authority to audit and examine expenditures of public funds provided to local health departments and other authorities, and updates references to reflect the transfer of emergency medical services responsibilities to the Department of Public Safety.

ENFORCEMENT

Added authority for the Department of Health and Human Services to examine and audit expenditures of public funds provided to local health departments, local substance abuse authorities, local mental health authorities, and local area agencies on aging, with power to issue directives and withhold funds for noncompliance.

REQUIREMENT

Updated qualifications for the executive director and deputy directors, requiring experience in public health administration and specific educational or professional experience levels.

Added provisions requiring the Office of Recovery Services to review child support guidelines and submit a summary of the review to the Judiciary Interim Committee by October 1, 2025.

Modified provisions regarding fetal death certificates and certificates of early term stillbirth to update filing requirements and terminology.

Updated school safety and security provisions to align with the creation of the school guardian program and related training requirements.

DEFINITION

Renamed the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to the Division of Integrated Healthcare and created the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health within the division.

TECHNICAL

Updated numerous code references to reflect current departmental names, including changes related to emergency medical services, school safety, and child support guidelines.

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 27, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends the Department of Health and Human Services code to update organizational structures, clarify authority over public funds, and modernize various health and social service provisions. Key changes include new audit powers for local health departments, updated qualifications for leadership positions, and revised definitions for mental health crisis services and emergency medical services.

Scope change

The bill expands the department's authority to audit local health departments and updates several statutory references to reflect organizational changes within the department.

ENFORCEMENT

Department of Health and Human Services may now examine and audit expenditures of public funds provided to local health departments, substance abuse authorities, and mental health authorities.

REQUIREMENT

Updated qualifications for executive director and deputy directors, including experience requirements and educational credentials.

Requires Division of Services for People with Disabilities to determine the most appropriate, least restrictive setting for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

DEFINITION

Changed references from 'targeted case management' to 'case managers' and updated the name of the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health.

TIMELINE

Updated effective dates and deadlines for various provisions, including child support guideline reviews and rationing criteria procedures.

TECHNICAL

Updated code references to reflect current names of divisions, offices, and other state agencies.

Health and Human Services Amendments

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