Senate advances bill making technical and structural changes to services for people with disabilities

The Utah Senate advanced Senate Bill 70, a package of amendments to the Division of Services for People with Disabilities, after sponsors described the measure as the product of a sunset review and broad stakeholder input.

Senator Maine, the bill sponsor, said the substitute deletes an annual plan requirement from the board overseeing services, makes technical changes to the discretionary trust to conform with federal law, extends time for the developmental center, clarifies the prohibition on providing residential services to children under a stated age (while excluding services provided by professional parent providers), adds a consumer or parent to the coordinating council, and directs revenues from sale or lease of certain water rights to a trust for people with disabilities. “It’s a bill that has received the scrutiny and the input of all organizations involved with people with disabilities,” Maine said.

Senators asked about the water‑rights language and whether deed restrictions might dictate where proceeds must be used. Maine said he would consult counsel to preserve any deed‑based directions. Senator Peterson said he was concerned that proceeds conveyed with a deed originally established for the developmental center should not be diverted away from the center; Maine responded he would oppose actions that would compromise the facility.

Several senators—including Senator Tanner and Senator Stewart—commended Maine for convening stakeholders and achieving a consensus that preserves options for individuals and families. The clerk announced that SB 70 had 28 ayes, no nays and one absence and that the bill would pass to the third‑reading calendar.

Next steps: the bill moves to third reading; sponsors said they would work with fiscal staff to correct any fiscal‑note wording and with counsel on deed and intent language to ensure revenues are used in the manner intended.