Senate passes bill to expand mobile crisis outreach teams to more counties

The Utah State Senate on Jan. 22 passed Senate Bill 70, a measure to expand mobile crisis outreach teams (MCOTs) to additional counties across the state.

Sponsor Senator Riebe introduced the bill as a public‑safety and public‑health measure, saying it would give communities “other options” when someone is experiencing a mental‑health crisis. “From 02/2005 to 02/2020, we’ve had 87 fatal shootings. 30 of those individuals were involved in a mental health crisis at that moment,” she said, arguing the teams provide a nonpolice alternative for many calls.

Senator Thatcher, who spoke in support, described MCOTs’ on‑call model and results: when calls are routed through the statewide lifeline, about 90% of cases are stabilized by phone and roughly 10% require dispatch; when an MCOT responds, there is a 75% chance the person stabilizes and returns home without further inpatient care or arrest.

Senators said the bill aims to expand successful MCOT programs already operating in parts of the state (examples cited included programs in Ogden and Salt Lake City) and to make that response available to additional counties; the sponsor said the goal is to expand coverage to 14 more counties. After floor discussion the Senate moved the bill for third reading and recorded 28 "yay" votes, 0 "nay" and 1 absent, satisfying third‑reading passage; the measure will now proceed to the House for consideration.

The bill’s backers described it as a step to reduce reliance on law enforcement for mental‑health crises and to build longitudinal relationships between service providers and individuals with chronic or acute needs. Opponents on the floor did not register a recorded 'nay' vote on third reading; senators asked staff and sponsors to provide implementation details as the bill moves to the House.

The next procedural step is House consideration; fiscal and implementation details will be developed in committee hearings as the measure advances.