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Senate approves bills to set behavioral-first-responder certification and a statewide crisis-intervention council
Summary
On Jan. 28 the Senate passed SB 53, creating a behavioral-first-responder certification (fee-funded, overseen by EMS/Health) and SB 47, establishing a Mental Health Crisis Intervention Council to set statewide CIT best practices.
The Utah Senate on Jan. 28 advanced two measures aimed at expanding behavioral-health crisis response: SB 53, creating a certification for behavioral first responders, and SB 47, establishing a statewide Mental Health Crisis Intervention Council.
Senator Thatcher (floor sponsor) described SB 53 as “pioneering” and said it “does not in any way, shape or form obligate a city or municipality or county to utilize or hire” behavioral first responders. The sponsor told colleagues the program will be optional, fee-funded by applicants and overseen by the Division of Emergency Medical Services, which would approve curriculum and handle certification. "This is something that because you are getting a certification, just as other EMS, it's paid by a fee by the applicant," the sponsor said on the floor.
Colleagues asked how the units would be deployed, whether the certification duplicates mobile crisis outreach teams (MCOTs) and whether the measure required state appropriations. The sponsor and other senators repeatedly said SB 53 is intended to complement, not replace, MCOTs: "The people who are supporting MCOTs also support this behavioral response unit," the sponsor said. Lawmakers also noted local jurisdictions will decide how to house and deploy any certified units.
Senate Bill 47 was presented as creating a council that would convene patients, victims' advocates, law enforcement and other stakeholders to develop statewide standards and best practices for crisis intervention teams (CIT). The sponsor said a statewide standard is currently missing and a council would help implement consistent approaches across jurisdictions.
Both bills moved through the Senate floor process (the record shows SB 53 and SB 47 were uncircled and passed) and will be transmitted to the House for consideration.
What happens next: If the House takes similar action and the bills are enrolled and signed, the certification process and council will require rule-writing and interagency coordination (EMS, Department of Health and local responders).
