SB 118 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Mental Health Services in Higher Education

SB 118 creates a $1.5 million grant for Utah public universities to improve student mental health services. It requires institutions to either establish peer coaching programs - where trained student volunteers provide non-clinical support - or use funds for other mental health services. Peer coaches, defined as student volunteers (not licensed professionals), can offer support like mentoring or resource referrals but cannot diagnose or provide clinical therapy. The grant, funded by reallocating existing income tax revenue, takes effect July 2026 and exempts peer coaches from liability for their non-clinical support.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to rename the initiative from a 'Program' to a 'Grant' and to shift the primary administrative responsibility from the institutions to the Utah Board of Higher Education. Additionally, the effective date was moved forward from May 6, 2026, to July 1, 2026, aligning it with the start of the fiscal year. These changes clarify that the Board will now set the standards and oversee the distribution of funds, while institutions must still choose between implementing a peer coaching program or using the funds for other mental health services.

Scope change

The scope of administration shifted from individual institutions to the Utah Board of Higher Education, which now holds the authority to create standards and oversee the grant rather than just reviewing training.

SCOPE

The initiative title changed from 'Peer-to-Peer Counseling Program' to 'Peer-to-Peer Coaching and Mental Health Counseling Grant'.

REQUIREMENT

The Utah Board of Higher Education is now explicitly required to administer and oversee the grant, whereas the original version placed this duty on the institutions.

The Board's responsibilities were expanded to include creating standards for the grant's outcomes and goals, and reporting requirements for institutions, removing the specific requirement for institutions to approve training.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from May 6, 2026, to July 1, 2026.

DEFINITION

The term 'Program' was replaced with 'Grant' in the definitions section.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ comm rpt/ sent to Rules/ substituted [Senate Rules Committee]

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Recommends Returned to Rules [Senate Education Committee]

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Held [Senate Education Committee]

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Not Considered [Senate Education Committee]

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Education Committee]

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors