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House advances substitute to realign halfway-house system, limit facility concentration
Summary
First substitute to HB126 would decentralize Utah's halfway houses into smaller facilities statewide, impose a population-based cap to avoid concentration, add roughly 7% more beds statewide, authorize capital for four facilities, and give the Department of Corrections five years for implementation.
Representative Jeremy Peterson moved the first substitute to House Bill 126, describing a plan to realign the state halfway-house system so facilities are smaller and spread across Utah to keep inmates closer to family supports while providing treatment services. "After spending some time with the Department of Corrections, we were able to identify common ground on this issue," the sponsor said, and he credited DOC recommendations included in the substitute.
Key provisions the sponsor identified include a population- or zone-based cap on beds to prevent disproportionate placement, a roughly 7% increase in system capacity, one-time capital funding for four new facilities, and a five-year implementation window for DOC. Members asked for data on local retention; Peterson cited a Weber State University study showing about 20% of inmates who came to Weber County from elsewhere remained in that community.
Supporters from both urban and rural districts commended the collaboration with corrections, while several members cautioned about logistical and funding challenges and the difficulty of siting community facilities. Representatives stressed the need for treatment components, described the halfway houses as secure and staffed facilities with prescribed schedules and curfews, and noted DOC could contract with county jails where appropriate.
The House moved the first substitute and the motion passed on the floor; the bill was circled for further action. The transcript records the substitute motion passing and floor discussion but does not include final enactment in the provided segment.
