SB 311 requires the Huntsman Mental Health Institute to develop a multilingual SafeUT software application (including Spanish) to support a 24/7 crisis line for school safety. The SafeUT Crisis Line enables anonymous reporting of incidents like bullying, violence, or abuse in schools, while providing crisis intervention for emotional distress. The bill establishes a commission with representatives from state agencies, education, and the public to oversee the program. The application will be accessible to students, parents, and school staff to report concerns and access support, with no funding appropriated and effective May 6, 2026.
HB 532 creates a three-year School-based Behavioral Health Pilot Program administered by Utah's Department of Health and Human Services. The program awards funds to qualified organizations (implementation partners) to help schools establish a tiered mental health support system, including universal screenings, group counseling for at-risk students, and individualized care. Local schools (LEAs/RESAs) must apply to participate, contract with an implementation partner, and follow specific guidelines for delivering mental health services across four tiers of support. The bill coordinates with existing initiatives like SafeUT Crisis Line and does not appropriate new state funds. It directly affects Utah public schools participating in the pilot and their students.
SB 239 establishes rules for Utah's "homeless services campus," a single facility providing emergency shelter, mental health treatment, and support services to people experiencing homelessness. It requires the state coordinator and Homeless Services Board to create a comprehensive plan covering safety, transportation, services offered, and staff requirements within a set timeframe after selecting a campus location. The bill also creates an ombudsman role to investigate campus violations, recommend remediation, and potentially halt operations, while mandating reporting and coordination with public safety entities. These changes directly affect the Office of Homeless Services, the Utah Homeless Services Board, campus operators, and the people using these facilities.
HB 552 amends Utah's behavioral health system by shifting administration of the Governor's Suicide Prevention Fund to the Office of Behavioral Health (replacing the governor) and creating a new community-based peer support grant program. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain a database of involuntary commitments, establishes a family outreach specialist role to assist families after suicide or overdose deaths, and restructures advisory committees to better coordinate behavioral health initiatives. The bill appropriates $114.95 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 to support these changes. These provisions directly affect Utah residents accessing behavioral health services, state agencies managing mental health programs, and families impacted by suicide or overdose.
SB 279 creates a 50% nonrefundable tax credit for property owners within one mile of designated "homeless services campuses" (facilities offering emergency shelter, mental health services, and support in one location, excluding correctional centers or microshelters). It directly affects qualifying property owners who receive annual tax notices for their land near these campuses. The credit equals half the property taxes paid in the year the tax notice is issued, applied to the owner’s state tax return. This policy aims to offset costs for neighbors of these facilities through a direct tax reduction.
HB 572 updates Utah's behavioral and mental health systems to improve coordination and support. It requires standardized consent forms for disclosing mental health conditions to providers and law enforcement, mandates jail screening tool transparency, and shifts administration of the suicide prevention fund to a dedicated office. The bill creates a peer support specialist program, establishes a family outreach role for suicide/overdose cases, and amends involuntary commitment procedures. It appropriates $750,000 for implementation in fiscal year 2027, directly affecting justice-involved individuals, mental health providers, and families impacted by behavioral health crises.
HB 590 ensures children transitioning out of foster care in Utah can continue seeing their existing mental health therapist without losing coverage. It requires insurers to offer special agreements for these children (called "covered children") to access out-of-network therapists who provided care while they were in foster care, with the same cost-sharing as in-network providers. The Division of Child and Family Services must also coordinate with therapists when children enter or leave foster care to maintain treatment continuity. This applies specifically to children receiving outpatient mental health services, excluding those in residential or higher-level care facilities.
SB 297 clarifies who can provide mental health support in Utah public schools by updating definitions for "qualifying personnel" (including licensed school social workers, counselors, and psychologists) and "behavioral health support personnel" (non-licensed staff assisting students). It requires the State Board of Education to create guidance based on licensing rules from the Division of Professional Licensing, ensuring schools follow proper training and supervision standards. The bill also establishes how existing state funds for school-based mental health services must be distributed to school districts, with requirements for annual reporting and collaboration with local mental health authorities. It does not appropriate new money but specifies that funds cannot replace existing federal or state funding for mental health staff. The changes primarily affect public schools, school districts, and licensed mental health professionals working in educational settings.
HB 578 requires local mental health authorities, the state protection agency, and specific health departments to provide information and referrals about guardianship and conservatorship resources to individuals who contact them. It also allows the Office of Public Guardian to offer training on these matters and updates advance mental health directives to include a person’s preferred guardian. The bill makes technical changes to definitions and related statutes without appropriating new funds, aiming to improve access to support for individuals managing personal affairs or decision-making capacity.
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.
