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House backs supported employment program to shrink disability waiting list after pilot showed early gains
Summary
HB 45 would make permanent a supported employment program that the sponsor said moved more than 200 people off the disability waiting list during a two‑year pilot; proponents cited improved employment, self‑sufficiency and leveraged federal dollars. The House passed the bill and referred it to the Senate.
The Utah House passed House Bill 45 on Feb. 5 to implement a supported employment program designed to reduce the state disability waiting list and help people with disabilities find sustained work.
Rep. Patty Manlove, presenting the bill, described a two‑year pilot that moved more than 200 people off the waiting list; of those, about 140 were participating in the program, roughly 70 were employed and another group was receiving training. The sponsor said the program helped people secure jobs in a variety of entry‑level positions and that state dollars had leveraged federal funds to expand reach.
Multiple representatives on the floor voiced bipartisan support. Representative Dougal said the program provides hope and employment opportunities to people with challenges; Representative Newbold and Representative Sandstrom described personal observations of the program’s impact and urged colleagues to support the legislation. Manlove said the waiting list for services had been about 1,800 people previously and that roughly 100 people per year were moved off the waiting list through the pilot’s approach.
The House voted and the clerk announced that House Bill 45 had received 69 yes votes (with Representative Fauch requesting leave to cast an aye, which was granted) and 0 no votes; the bill passed and will be referred to the Senate for further consideration.
