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House approves pilot employment supports for people with disabilities and fixes for brain‑injury eligibility
Summary
The House passed HB 31 to fund a two‑year pilot for supported employment and HB 213 to align brain‑injury eligibility with federal definitions, with sponsors noting the pilot’s $150,000 two‑year fiscal note and that about 20 people could lose services without HB 213.
On Jan. 25 the Utah House approved two bills intended to expand or preserve services for people with disabilities.
House Bill 31, sponsored by Representative Rhonda Menlove, establishes a pilot program to support pre‑job training, job coaching and ongoing workplace support for persons with disabilities who could work with limited assistance. Menlove said the program would cost roughly $1,500 per person and carries a fiscal note of $150,000 spread over two years to fund about 100 supported employment slots per year.
"This bill addresses that population, those persons who could go out and get a job if they had some pre‑job training," Representative Menlove said, noting support across disability advocacy groups.
House Bill 213, also sponsored by Representative Menlove, updates state definitions to align with federal definitions of brain injury so eligible individuals retain access to services. Menlove told the chamber that about 20 people could lose services without the correction.
Representatives asked about potential scope questions — for example whether emotional conditions or self‑inflicted injuries would qualify — and Menlove and other members clarified that the measure targets medically diagnosed, primary brain injuries and is not intended to expand coverage for temporary conditions caused by other behaviors.
Both bills passed on recorded votes: HB 31 (70–0) and HB 213 (68–0), and will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.
What happens next: Both bills proceed to the Senate; the pilot includes reporting and data collection over a two‑year window to assess whether the approach reduces waiting lists and improves employment outcomes.
