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House OKs 50-person Assertive Community Treatment pilot for serious mental illness
Summary
Lawmakers approved a pilot authorizing intensive, community-based teams to serve up to 50 clients with serious mental illness; sponsors said the approach is evidence-based and may reduce incarceration and institutional costs.
The Utah House voted unanimously on Feb. 28 to create a pilot Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program aimed at serving people with serious and chronic mental illnesses through intensive community-based teams.
Representative Moss, who introduced the measure, said the program is evidence-based, supported by NAMI Utah materials and examples from other states, and could significantly improve outcomes for people who repeatedly cycle through corrections or hospitals. She said the pilot would enroll 50 patients and cost roughly $10,000–$15,000 per client annually but could yield savings compared with incarceration or institutional care, which she described as far more expensive.
On the floor, members discussed the fiscal note and asked whether anticipated state savings from reduced institutional demand had been fully captured. The sponsor acknowledged the fiscal note but said most pilot participants would be Medicaid-eligible and the bill includes an evaluation component.
The House passed the bill 69-0. The measure will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
