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Senate approves mental‑health measures, funds crisis response teams and state hospital study
Summary
The Utah Senate on March 10 approved several mental‑health bills including expanded crisis services funding for Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT) and a study into adult bed needs at the state hospital. Sponsors said the measures fund rural crisis response and support housing and treatment coordination.
The Utah Senate advanced multiple mental‑health measures on March 10, including third‑reading passage of crisis services legislation and a companion bill addressing state hospital resources.
Senator Thatcher described third substitute House Bill 32 as a package to expand crisis services: it appropriates $2.5 million to extend Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT) into rural Utah, provides funds for receiving centers where law enforcement can bring individuals who need care but have not committed crimes, and dedicates a $250,000 set‑aside to develop a new version of the state’s SafeUT tool for first responders. "This appropriates $2,500,000 to expand the use of MCOT teams to rural Utah," the sponsor said.
Separately, Senator Weiler moved and the Senate adopted an amendment to House Bill 35, which requires the Forensic Mental Health Coordinating Council — in consultation with the Utah Substance Use and Mental Health Advisory Council — to study the long‑term need for adult beds at the Utah State Hospital, modify membership of relevant committees, and authorize a grant for development of an ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) team and a housing assistance program for certain individuals discharged from the state hospital. The amended bill passed by roll call (27 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent).
Why it matters: Sponsors said the bills are intended to improve crisis stabilization capacity, reduce criminal justice involvement for people in crisis, and address long‑term hospital capacity and community alternatives. The measures direct funding and study authority that proponents called necessary to expand services outside the Salt Lake City area.
Next steps: The bills were returned to the House for further consideration and enrollment where required.
Representative quotes in context: "This appropriates $2,500,000 to expand the use of MCOT teams to rural Utah," Senator Thatcher said. Sponsor discussion of HB35 described the bill’s study of long‑term adult bed needs at the Utah State Hospital.
