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Senate Committee Urges Governor to Review Utah Disability Law Center Designation After Emotional Testimony
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7–2 to favorably recommend SJR7, a resolution urging the governor to review the Utah Disability Law Center's federal Protection & Advocacy designation after families and advocates told lawmakers the center neglects people with severe intellectual disabilities; the center disputed the allegations and warned a review could disrupt services.
The Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee on a 7–2 roll call vote recommended that the governor review the state's federally designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency, the Disability Law Center (DLC), after hours of public testimony from families who said the nonprofit has failed to represent people with severe intellectual disabilities.
Sponsor Senator Weiler told the committee SJR7 is a fact-finding request asking the governor to "initiate a formal review of the designation of the DLC as Utah's P&A agency" and, if warranted, to undertake redesignation consistent with federal guidance. He said families and caregivers have reported frustration with the DLC's priorities and that the resolution seeks transparency and accountability.
The nut graf: dozens of speakers — including parents, guardians and service providers — told the committee they believe the DLC prioritizes higher‑functioning clients and litigation over direct help for those with the greatest support needs. In response, the DLC's public‑affairs supervising attorney, Nate Krippas, said the organization serves thousands of Utahns, that federal rules bar it from representing parents in guardianship proceedings, and warned a redesignation review could disrupt current legal representation.
Supporters' testimony described instances they say show gaps in services. Lisa Thornton, an attorney and parent of an adult with significant intellectual disability, told the committee the DLC "refuse[s] to help those with severe intellectual disabilities get the protections they need through guardianship" and said the center "consistently fights changes that would better protect those with severe intellectual impairment." Other parents described long waits for court visitors and argued that SB199 — a guardianship reform the DLC opposed and later sued over — was designed to ease costs and delays for families who need protection.
The DLC rebuttal noted statutory limitations on its legal role. Nate Krippas said, "Our federal law ... prevents [us] from representing parents in guardianship proceedings" and that the agency provides legal consultations and direct representation in many matters; he added that during a recent 30‑day period the DLC had "764 individuals ask about our services" and took on roughly 200 representations. Krippas also said the commission had not identified the "good cause" that would warrant a formal redesignation.
Committee members who voted in favor framed the resolution as a measured request that would let the governor review whether the designation remains appropriate. Lawmakers who opposed or voted no urged more deliberation and additional interim work to gather facts and ensure federal rules and funding constraints are respected.
The committee recorded a roll-call vote of 7 in favor and 2 opposed. The resolution requests the governor consider redesignation only if federal guidelines and "good cause" justify it.
Looking ahead, the resolution asks the governor's office to determine whether a competitive selection or other steps are warranted; the committee did not make any funding decisions and emphasized the measure is a request for review and fact finding, not a change of provider on its own.
