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Senate advances plan to create Utah forensic mental-health facility, planning funds included
Summary
Senate Bill 166, creating organizational authority for a Utah forensic mental-health facility adjacent to the state prison, advanced through committee and onto the third-reading calendar; the Senate recorded support for planning funds and discussed a projected capital need of roughly $15 million and operating estimates of about $9.8 million annually.
Senate Bill 166 would establish a Utah forensic mental health facility on state land adjacent to the Utah State Prison in Draper and define roles for the Department of Human Services, Department of Corrections and Department of Mental Health in treatment and security. Senator McAllister said the bill does not fund construction but sets organizational responsibilities and authorizes planning. He told the Senate that planning funds of $60,000 were included in the governmental operations planning list and that the construction costs could be phased, with a capital estimate of roughly $15 million and annual operating costs potentially near $9.8 million once fully operational.
Floor debate stressed the secure-care balance: corrections would retain final design authority where security is implicated; clinical staff would be responsible for care. Senators asked for details about bed counts and how the new facility would relieve pressure on the state hospital; sponsors indicated the facility was expected to be around 50 beds for forensic patients and would relieve civil-bed pressure at the state hospital.
Senators supported circling the bill for distribution of copies and later moved it toward third reading; the Senate placed SB166 on the third-reading calendar after recorded support in the floor vote (also noting fiscal planning and follow-up work required).
