House approves bill to create integrated system of care for minors in state custody

The Utah House of Representatives on the floor unanimously approved House Bill 21 on a 69–0 vote, directing the Department of Health and Human Services, local substance abuse authorities and local mental health authorities to develop a ‘‘system of care’’ to integrate services for children in state custody.

Sponsor Representative Sanpei told colleagues the bill addresses the fragmentation created by separate Medicaid and behavioral health systems and the ‘‘carve-out of a carve-out’’ for children in custody. "This bill simply directs the department of health and human services, the local substance abuse authorities and the local mental health authorities to develop what we call a system of care for the provision of integrating services for these children," he said.

Representative Chavez-Houck backed the measure, saying stakeholders and providers worked through an interim behavioral health subgroup to build the policy. "The continuity of care that Representative Sanpei has mentioned here is very, very important for a number of these children," Chavez-Houck said, praising the collaboration of advocates, counties and providers.

The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the system of care is intended to preserve access to a child’s preexisting provider where possible and to encourage local infrastructure for specialized services. The sponsor acknowledged trade-offs: the bill seeks both continuity and access to specialized programs without requiring all providers to offer highly specialized services.

Following a brief amendment to correct a drafting reference to the appropriate division of code, members voted with all present in favor. The House Clerk recorded 69 yes votes and 0 no votes; HB 21 passed and was transmitted to the Senate for consideration.