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
11 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Patient rights in court-ordered treatment
Insurers cannot deny coverage just because assisted outpatient treatment is court‑ordered. If you are discharged from a court‑ordered commitment, you get written instructions, referrals, crisis and peer contacts, and a clinically appropriate medication supply; a follow‑up attempt happens within 48 hours when appropriate. Courts appoint two examiners within 24 hours (not counting weekends or holidays) and hold a hearing within 10 days. Hearings are remote unless a court shows good cause; in‑person hearings must use a setting that does not harm mental health. These protections take effect May 6, 2026.
More shelter beds and property aid
Shelters may expand up to 135% of permitted beds through April 30, 2027 with city consent and code compliance. The state updates shelter definitions, including third‑tier shelters (at least 50 beds and open at least three months between Oct 1 and Apr 30). Businesses and property owners within one‑fifth mile of eligible shelters can seek loans or compensation for property loss, with required documentation. Businesses must be in good standing with the State Tax Commission and Commerce Department.
Behavioral health commission and committees
The Utah Behavioral Health Commission leads statewide policy, planning, and accountability beginning May 6, 2026. It reviews laws, studies hospital bed needs, coordinates the workforce, and oversees suicide prevention efforts. Commission‑directed committees, including crisis response and policy review, continue, with members eligible for per diem and travel. These authorities are extended through July 1, 2029.
Stronger suicide prevention and family help
The state runs a statewide suicide prevention program with a coordinator and committee starting May 6, 2026. The Office of Substance Use and Mental Health administers the Governor’s Suicide Prevention Fund and awards grants approved by the governor. Up to $100,000 each year can go to programs that help kids served by juvenile justice. A family outreach specialist contacts next of kin after suicide or overdose deaths and offers bereavement support. The law gives $300,000 one‑time in FY2027 to the Medical Examiner to fund this role.
New sales tax shares for districts
Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible basic special districts receive 50% of each dollar of state sales and use tax collected within their boundaries. For major sporting event venue zones, starting the first quarter after a zone boundary is set, the state transfers 50% of the sales and use tax increment from inside the zone to the creating entity at least once a year.
Alcohol and youth drug prevention funding
Each year, 0.6% of total gross liquor sales goes into a restricted account for underage drinking prevention, starting May 6, 2026. A new committee tracks alcohol‑related offenses, costs, and where products were obtained. Oversight for media and education distributions sits with the Behavioral Health Commission before July 1, 2029, then moves to the department. Cities and counties must file a report by October 1 or payments can be suspended. Any leftover account money is awarded as grants each June. DPS reimburses police for alcohol compliance checks if they report within 90 days. A statewide youth prevention program for e‑cigarettes, nicotine, marijuana, and other drugs runs through July 1, 2030.
State commitment database and consent tools
The department must build a confidential civil‑commitment database by December 31, 2026 and report on privacy rules by November 2026. Local mental health authorities can access commitments in their area. By December 31, 2026, a standard, HIPAA/Part 2‑compliant consent form lets justice‑involved people allow disclosure of their diagnosis to named parties. Starting May 6, 2026, the state also publishes a list of recommended, validated screening tools.
Targeted behavioral-health funds for 2027
For FY2027, the law provides $450,000 for non‑Medicaid behavioral health and crisis response. The intent is to fund: $200,000 for the commitment database or receiving center grants, $100,000 for peer support grants, $50,000 for suicide‑prevention training, and $100,000 to raise Medicaid rates for collaborative care codes.
Short-term Utah health workforce council
The Utah Health Workforce Advisory Council starts May 6, 2026. It has 14 to 19 members, meets each quarter, studies supply and training needs, and makes recommendations. Members may receive per diem and travel pay. The council ends July 1, 2027.
New rules and fees for centers
Starting May 6, 2026, licensed behavioral health receiving centers must notify law enforcement or diversion contacts about a justice‑involved person’s treatment status in set situations, including if they leave against advice within 24 hours. The Office will write the rules and centers must adopt a policy. The Office may also charge application and renewal fees for receiving center licenses to cover licensing costs.
Jail and prison death transparency
Each county jail must report yearly data by June 15, including bookings, policies, and in‑custody deaths. The commission compiles and redacts data and sends it by November 1 to lawmakers and the advocacy agency. On request, jails must share a report with names, causes of death, and the facility. MOUs can let the commission access local data; reports based on MOUs are released only after local review or 4 weeks. The state corrections department must also report in‑custody deaths by June 15; the commission sends a redacted summary by November 1.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Steve Eliason
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Evan J. Vickers
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 26 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 68 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
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
House vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ substituted
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