Lawmakers discuss 'code blue' shelter triggers and rotating shelter concepts; Centerville officials say local services are limited

State legislators at a Centerville work session on Jan. 23 discussed a proposed "code blue" concept that would require counties to provide temperature‑triggered shelter (warming in winter, air‑conditioned space when extreme heat occurs).

“I will run a bill that will also require a code blue if it’s over a certain degree in the summer that they have to have somewhere air conditioned,” said a state senator at the meeting. He said the bill’s trigger temperature would be set in the bill language.

Legislators also described operational concepts counties have tested or discussed to reduce barriers to shelter use: rotating short-term shelter sites, and a "revolving bus" or shuttle that would deliver people to temporary nighttime shelter locations for a few nights. Proponents said such approaches spread the operational burden across jurisdictions and would not be a long‑term housing solution.

Centerville council members and others warned a shelter site in Centerville would face service‑access challenges because transit and supportive services are limited in the city. Legislators said any code‑triggered responses should consider proximity to transportation and services; one legislator said North Salt Lake’s proposed site was poorly located relative to transit and services.

Legislators and council members described local evidence of homelessness in Davis County—high numbers using behavioral‑health services without an address, and reports of homeless students at local high schools—as evidence that county shelters and strategies need review.

Ending: The lawmakers said the idea is under development and that county and municipal officials would need to be involved in siting and operational planning if a code‑triggered shelter requirement moved forward.