House uncircles Senate Bill 77 to create task force on involuntary commitment

The Utah House voted to uncircle Senate Bill 77 on Feb. 6, restoring consideration of a task force to study criteria for involuntary commitment of people with serious mental illness. Representative Bradshaw moved to uncircle the measure and the motion passed by voice vote.

Bradshaw told colleagues the task force was one of two prioritized in the Senate and framed it as a response to families who have been unable to secure involuntary commitment for relatives. “In our community, there have been 3 deaths in 3 years in which family members have sought to have mentally ill relatives involuntarily committed, but they have been thwarted in their attempts because the law presently states the requirement of imminent immediate danger,” he said.

Supporters, including Representative Broughmire and Representative Seitz, said the group could help resolve contentious questions about civil commitment while protecting the rights of those subject to potential commitment. Broughmire said she “strongly support[s] this,” arguing it would help the mentally ill and families who care for them.

The House did not record a roll-call tally for the uncircle motion in the transcript beyond the chair’s announcement that the motion passed; the motion’s outcome was that the bill is uncircled and will proceed for further consideration.