SB 154

 Enrolled Copy  S.B. 154
1Protection and Advocacy Agency Reporting
                                        2026 GENERAL SESSION
                                            STATE OF UTAH
                                       Chief Sponsor: Todd Weiler
                                   House Sponsor: Norman K Thurston
2
3  LONG TITLE
4  General Description:
5      This bill addresses Utah's state protection and advocacy agency.
6  Highlighted Provisions:
7      This bill:
8      ▸ clarifies the responsibilities of the state protection and advocacy agency;
9      ▸ requires the state protection and advocacy agency to report; and
10      ▸ defines terms.
11  Money Appropriated in this Bill:
12      None
13  Other Special Clauses:
14      None
15  Utah Code Sections Affected:
16  ENACTS:
17      26B-6-901, Utah Code Annotated 1953
18      26B-6-902, Utah Code Annotated 1953
19
20  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
21Section 1. Section 26B-6-901 is enacted to read:
22Part 9. Utah Protection and Advocacy Agency
2326B-6-901 . Definitions.
24As used in this part:
25  (1) "Appropriate for the need of the individual" means the services, treatment, and
26      medications recommended by the disabled individual's physical health or mental health
27      provider.
 S.B. 154  Enrolled Copy
28   (2) "Disabled individual" means a person with a disability, as defined in the Americans
29with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec.12102.
30   (3) "State protection and advocacy agency" means an entity designated by the governor as
31the protection and advocacy agency for disabled individuals in this state.
32Section 2. Section 26B-6-902 is enacted to read:
3326B-6-902 . State protection and advocacy agency.
34   (1) The state protection and advocacy agency should:
35(a) represent and advocate for the interests of all disabled individuals in the state;
36(b) annually hold at least three meetings with the public throughout the state to:
37(i) understand the needs in the local community; and
38(ii) provide education, advocacy, and resources to disabled individuals in the local
39community; and
40(c) provide a written report annually to the Judiciary Interim Committee and Health and
41Human Services Interim Committee on or before August 31.
42   (2) The report described in Subsection (1)(c) may include:
43(a) the number and location of public meetings;
44(b) the number and description of the types of services and advocacy provided, including
45the number and description of advocacy incidents that:
46(i) advocated for a more-integrated or less-integrated setting or care, according to the
47appropriate need of the individual;
48(ii) advocated for a greater level or lesser level of treatment, including medication
49treatment, according to the appropriate need of the individual; and
50(iii) advocated for a deviation from a treatment provider recommendation and the
51reason;
52(c) a list of the government entities that the state protection and advocacy agency
53worked with;
54(d) the number of individuals served that:
55(i) are not capable of living independently;
56(ii) can live somewhat independently, with formal supports;
57(iii) live independently; and
58(iv) are a family member of a disabled individual;
59(e) the number of individuals that the state protection and advocacy agency:
60(i) referred to and received voluntary treatment;
61(ii) petitioned for and were ordered into involuntary treatment;
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 Enrolled Copy  S.B. 154
62(iii) exited from homelessness into a residential or clinical setting;
63(iv) was able to advocate for assisted outpatient treatment or assertive community
64treatment that resulted in placement or acquisition of supportive housing; and
65(v) advocated for with the goal of discontinuing any aspect of services or treatment
66deemed to be appropriate for the need of the individual; and
67      (f) policy recommendations, if any.
68Section 3. Effective Date.
69  This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.
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