All Roll Calls
Yes: 192 • No: 3
UtahH.B. 5722026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Behavioral Health, Mental Health, and Social Services Amendments
Sponsored By: Steve Eliason (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Substance AbuseHealth and Human ServicesHealth CareMental HealthCourtsJudicial OperationsLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeLegislative OperationsLegislative Committees and Task ForcesAdministrative RulemakingDepartment of Health and Human ServicesAppropriationsCivil CommitmentCommission on Criminal and Juvenile JusticeLegislative Staff OfficesOffice of Licensing and Background ChecksParoleSubstance Abuse and Mental HealthSubstance Use Disorder TreatmentUtah State HospitalNew Rulemaking AuthorityCorrectional Facilities
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
14 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
More property loss help near shelters
Beginning May 6, 2026, more shelters qualify for the program that helps nearby residents and businesses with property loss. The added category covers eligible shelters operating more than 365 continuous days. Businesses within one-fifth of a mile can qualify for compensation or no-interest loans. They must be in good standing with the Utah State Tax Commission and Department of Commerce. Utah residents living within one-fifth of a mile can qualify for compensation, subject to the program's need requirements. Losses must result directly from the shelter's presence, and this change ends July 1, 2028.
More support after suicide or overdose
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah's suicide prevention office must appoint a coordinator to run prevention, intervention, and support after suicide. The law removes the requirement that the coordinator act under the Behavioral Health Commission's direction. Subject to appropriated funds, the health department must pay a family outreach specialist at a department-set rate. The specialist provides grief support to relatives or legal guardians after a recent suicide or overdose death. The specialist also gathers information and helps the medical examiner with prevention and data work. The law provides $300,000 for this role in fiscal year 2027, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Responders can share digital treatment lists
Beginning May 6, 2026, first responders can provide paper or electronic lists of local mental health and substance use services. This applies when someone wants help but does not want to speak with a provider at that time. Receiving the list does not require the person to contact a provider or enter treatment.
State manages drinking prevention and funds
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah's health department oversees the underage drinking campaign, sets guidelines, plans spending, and coordinates partners. Spending requires legislative appropriation, and the department must report results to the Behavioral Health Commission annually by October 1. A municipality without its own police agency can receive eligible alcohol-related funds if it demonstrates an authorized use. Otherwise, those funds go to the county. The commission decides these municipal distributions through June 30, 2029; the health department takes over July 1, 2029.
More grant support for community recovery
Beginning May 6, 2026, the division must award grants for accessible, non-clinical community peer support, subject to appropriated funds. Recovery support organizations serve people recovering from mental health or substance use disorders. The division must consult the Behavioral Health Commission and prioritize areas with frequent provider shortages. Fiscal year 2027 funding includes $100,000 ongoing for peer support grants. The law also extends the Receiving Center Grant Program's repeal date from December 31, 2026, to July 1, 2029. That program keeps its existing requirements; $200,000 ongoing is available for either receiving-center grants or a statewide behavioral health database.
State recommends tested mental health screenings
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah's health department and criminal and juvenile justice commission must provide recommended screening tools. Each tool must use research-backed, standardized methods and be tested for accuracy. The tools must screen for substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and related risks. This guidance does not itself establish eligibility for treatment.
State reviews mental health justice policies
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Behavioral Health Commission must coordinate agencies and recommend fairer, more efficient justice and commitment policies. These duties cover people with mental illness or intellectual disabilities and include promoting education for judges. The commission's duties end July 1, 2029. Under the commission's direction, the Policy Review Committee must coordinate subcommittee recommendations and objectively review proposed mental health and substance use laws. It must report recommendations annually to the commission, governor, and Legislature; these duties end January 1, 2033.
More shelters and providers can qualify
Beginning May 6, 2026, a shelter meeting first- or second-tier requirements qualifies after more than 365 continuous operating days. It can qualify even if originally intended as an emergency shelter. First-tier rules require at least 80 year-round beds; second-tier rules require at least 25. A nonprofit also qualifies as an authorized provider when a third-tier eligible municipality approves its temporary emergency shelter. That provider no longer needs to operate a winter-response shelter under a winter response plan.
Shelters can temporarily add more beds
Beginning May 6, 2026, shared-space shelters can operate at up to 135% of designated bed capacity with written municipal consent. Providers must notify the Office of Homeless Services of the need and request municipal approval. Shelters must follow building and fire codes; municipalities can set reasonable safety, coordination, or neighborhood-impact conditions. This temporary authority ends after April 30, 2027. On May 1, shelters must return to their permit capacity unless the municipality separately authorizes more beds.
Tax revenue supports designated development zones
Beginning January 1, 2027, major sporting event venue zones receive transfers equal to 50% of their sales and use tax increment. This is the increase in tax revenue within the established boundary, paid to the entity creating the zone. Transfers start on a calendar quarter's first day after the boundary is established and occur at least annually. The law also adds eligible basic special districts, and applicable related public infrastructure districts, as qualified development zones. Those zones receive 50% of covered sales tax on construction materials delivered there for permanent attachment to property there. Sellers must register the delivery outlet, report sales to it, and not use a simplified electronic return for those sales.
Stricter rules for seasonal shelter eligibility
Beginning May 6, 2026, shelters qualifying for third-tier municipalities must have capacity for at least 50 people per night. The Office of Homeless Services must verify that capacity. Shelters must operate at least three months between October 1 and April 30 of the following year. The former alternative based on winter-response status and inclusion in a county winter response plan no longer qualifies.
Commitment notices and new patient records
Beginning May 6, 2026, local mental health authorities or their designees must tell adults in temporary commitment why they were committed. The health department must also establish a database by December 31, 2026, covering commitments under three specified Utah laws. The database adds state-held records about affected patients. Department rules must protect privacy and limit use and access. Local mental health authorities can access civil commitment records only for their own areas.
Justice patients face new information rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, the health department must create a standard diagnosis-sharing consent form by December 31, 2026. Defendants, inmates, parolees, and people on probation can use it to authorize mental health or substance use diagnosis disclosures. The form must name recipients, sharing circumstances, and consent duration, while meeting federal health and substance use privacy laws. Department rules must limit access based on consent, service needs, contact with the person, and applicable law. Licensing officials must also set receiving-center rules for updates to law enforcement or diversion contacts about people entering treatment through diversion. These cover treatment recommendations, participation or resistance, agreement violations, leaving against advice, and referrals; rules cannot require updates after referral to another provider.
Local tax money funds shelter mitigation
Beginning January 1, 2027, participating counties and municipalities contribute tax money to the Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Restricted Account. The requirement applies to local governments that are not certified as eligible shelter municipalities. For 2027, the annual amount is the lesser of $316,250 or 2.93% of the prior fiscal year's population-based tax distribution. Beginning in 2028, it is the lesser of $275,000 or 2.55% of that distribution. The State Tax Commission deducts one-twelfth each month, reducing local payments while funding shelter-impact mitigation.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Steve Eliason
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Evan J. Vickers
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 68 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 67 • No: 1
House vote • 2/24/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 12 • No: 1
House vote • 2/24/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2026House/ to Governor
3/17/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/17/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ floor amendment
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ circled
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ floor amendment
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Amended 3/5/2026 10:03:561
3/5/2026
Substitute #6
3/4/2026
Substitute #4
3/3/2026
Substitute #5
3/3/2026
Substitute #3
2/27/2026
Substitute #1
2/24/2026
Substitute #2
2/24/2026
Introduced
2/16/2026