Senate committee backs resolution urging governor to review Disability Law Center designation after heated testimony

The Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee voted 7-2 to favorably recommend SJR7, a joint resolution that asks the governor to initiate a formal review of the Disability Law Center's designation as Utah's Protection and Advocacy agency.

Sponsor Sen. Weiler introduced the resolution as a fact-finding measure to determine whether the center's priorities meaningfully serve all Utahns with disabilities. "We're here to understand how advocacy priorities are set, how harm is assessed and whether those with the greatest needs are being served," Weiler said during his presentation.

More than two dozen people testified in a divided public-comment period. Parents and advocates who support the resolution described families who say the DLC has not adequately represented people with severe intellectual disabilities and argued the governor should consider whether a different provider might better serve some groups. Lisa Thornton, an attorney and parent, told the committee she had seen cases in which she believes the center prioritized litigation and advocacy that did…