Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Drug Courts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate Codifies Drug Court Pilot Programs Into Statute
Summary
Senators substituted and amended SB 35 to codify existing drug-court programs (including pilot projects in Davis and Weber counties) into the Utah Code; an amendment clarified the change would not affect federal block grants and the first substitute was approved by roll-call.
Senate action on SB 35 on Feb. 8 converted intent language for drug courts into codified statute.
Senator Hilliard explained the substitute: the measure repeals uncodified intent language and incorporates established drug-court programs into the code, while an amendment ensures the provision does not interfere with federal block grants. Sponsors said the pilot projects (including Davis and Weber counties) have been successful and that codification simply makes the existing programs part of the statutory framework. Floor participants asked whether codification would remove pilot-project time limits; the sponsor said the intent was to continue the operation as it exists and not to remove necessary programmatic limits without consent of stakeholders.
The Senate adopted the first substitute and the amendment and voted to advance the measure toward third reading.
