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Committee backs shifting a larger share of certain federal benefits to conserved accounts for foster youth
Summary
The committee favorably recommended HB108 to increase the portion of specified federal survivor/disability benefits placed into conserved accounts for foster youth from the current statutory allocation toward 75%; DHHS clarified the change applies only to children receiving those federal benefits, and the sponsor said the bill would not move forward if it created an unfunded mandate.
The Health and Human Services Standing Committee voted to favorably recommend HB108, which would increase the share of certain federal benefits—chiefly Social Security survivor and disability benefits—allocated into conserved accounts for foster youth who have lost both parents.
Sponsor testimony framed the bill as restoring more of those federal benefits to the youth who receive them rather than allowing the state to retain a larger portion for general foster-care funding. The sponsor told the committee that roughly 1,464 children are affected and that the program collects about $2,200,000 annually; the sponsor said the prior legislative path reduced an earlier 50% proposal to 25% and the current bill seeks to raise the conserved-account share to 75% of those specific funds.
Tanya Myroup, director of the Division of Child and Family Services, clarified the fiscal picture: the funds at issue are federal benefits used today to support room, board and services while the child is in care; some children’s funds (those with disabilities) go into ABLE or Utah STABLE accounts and follow them into adulthood, while death benefits are placed into special trust accounts and are released as a lump sum when they age out. Myroup said the bill applies only to children receiving those federal benefits (death or disability benefits, some veterans and railroad benefits), not all children in foster care.
Committee members asked how larger state funding would backfill services if the state is redirecting a greater share to conserved accounts; the sponsor said the fiscal note accounts for backfill and that the sponsor would not move the bill forward if it jeopardized foster-care services. During public comment, Mariah Hurst of the Youth Providers Association said she supported the policy intent but was concerned about an unfunded mandate; the sponsor reiterated that the bill would not be advanced if it created funding shortfalls.
Representative Clancy moved that HB108 be favorably recommended and the committee voted by voice; there were no recorded opposed votes and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation.
