Protection and Advocacy Agency Reporting

Required advocacy for Utah residents with disabilities

Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah’s governor-designated protection and advocacy agency must represent all Utah residents with disabilities. The law uses the Americans with Disabilities Act’s definition of disability. The agency must hold at least three public meetings across Utah each year to learn local needs and provide education, advocacy, and resources. It must send a written annual report to the Judiciary and Health and Human Services Interim Committees by August 31. The report may describe meetings, services, government partners, and policy recommendations. Optional reporting also covers advocacy for more- or less-integrated care settings, higher or lower treatment levels, medication, and departures from provider recommendations, including reasons. The law defines appropriate services, treatment, and medications as those recommended by the person’s health provider. Optional counts cover people served by their ability to live independently, including those needing formal supports, and family members served. They also cover voluntary treatment referrals resulting in treatment, involuntary treatment petitions resulting in court orders, and moves from homelessness into residential or clinical settings. Other optional counts cover assisted outpatient treatment or assertive community treatment advocacy resulting in placement or supportive housing, and advocacy to end services or treatment considered appropriate for the person’s needs. The law provides no new funding.