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 not protect people with the most severe needs. "The DLC consistently fights changes that would better protect those with severe intellectual impairment," Thornton said.

Other speakers described personal experiences they said demonstrated gaps in representation. Ethan Smith, an attorney who said he has a brother with a severe intellectual disability, said the DLC had posted general statements of support without substantive explanation and had failed to help some families navigate guardianship processes.

The Disability Law Center's public affairs supervising attorney, Nate Krippas, told the committee the organization's statutory duties and federal rules constrain certain types of representation and that a redesignation review could produce real harm and confusion for clients who rely on the center's services. "We represent people with disabilities and we would not be permitted to represent parents in guardianship proceedings," Krippas said, noting the risk of interrupting ongoing representation and federally funded services while a review is underway. He added the center responded to hundreds of inquiries in recent weeks and directly represented about 200 people in that period.

Several nonprofit leaders, service providers and people with disabilities urged caution. JC Skinner, a board member of an organization that supports the DLC, said the committee should avoid rushing and recommended additional, deliberative inquiry. "This hearing is not a forum that is equipped to be a fact-finding entity," Skinner said.

Others who opposed the resolution stressed the DLC's long record of class-action and individual advocacy. Christy Lee Mortensen, who said the center protected her civil rights while she was a student, warned that weakening the DLC could remove an essential independent watchdog. "For more than 50 years, the legacy of the Disability Law Center has served Utah's disability community with integrity, expertise and independence," Mortensen said.

Committee members asked technical and legal questions about federal rules that govern P&A agencies; the sponsor and witnesses referenced federal regulations in the 45 C.F.R. series. Several senators said they supported the reporting and transparency provisions but wanted more time to vet a redesignation process, while others said the volume of constituent complaints indicated good cause for review. Senator Escamilla and Senator Pitcher explained they would vote no to the resolution today but supported the reporting elements; Senator Baldry said on the record he would vote yes.

At the motion phase, the committee voted to favorably recommend SJR7 to the full Senate, 7 to 2.

What happens next: SJR7 is a request urging the governor to review the DLC's designation; the resolution does not itself change federal designation, which would be determined by the federal agency if the governor pursues redesignation. The resolution asks the governor to undertake a redesignation only "if warranted and consistent with federal guidance," per the text presented in committee.

Sources: Public testimony and committee discussion at the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee.

Notes: Quotations and attributions come from in-person testimony and committee remarks recorded in the hearing transcript.