1     
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR FIRST

2     
RESPONDERS

3     
2021 GENERAL SESSION

4     
STATE OF UTAH

5     
Chief Sponsor: Karen Kwan

6     
Senate Sponsor: Daniel W. Thatcher

7     Cosponsors:
8     Jefferson S. Burton
9     Jennifer Dailey-Provost
10     Matthew H. Gwynn
11     Suzanne Harrison
Sandra Hollins
Marsha Judkins
Rosemary T. Lesser
Paul Ray
Angela Romero
Andrew Stoddard
Ryan D. Wilcox
Mike Winder

12     

13     LONG TITLE
14     General Description:
15          This bill relates to mental health resources for first responders.
16     Highlighted Provisions:
17          This bill:
18          ▸     defines terms; and
19          ▸     requires the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to administer a grant
20     program to provide mental health resources for first responders.
21     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
22          This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2022:
23          ▸     to Department of Human Services -- Division of Substance Abuse and Mental
24     Health, Community Mental Health Services, as a one-time appropriation:
25               •     from the General Fund, One-time, $500,000.
26     Other Special Clauses:
27          None
28     Utah Code Sections Affected:

29     AMENDS:
30          63I-2-262, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 212
31     ENACTS:
32          62A-15-120, Utah Code Annotated 1953
33     

34     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
35          Section 1. Section 62A-15-120 is enacted to read:
36          62A-15-120. Mental health resources for first responders grant program.
37          (1) As used in this section:
38          (a) "First responder" means:
39          (i) a law enforcement officer, as defined in Section 53-13-103;
40          (ii) an emergency medical technician, as defined in Section 26-8c-102;
41          (iii) an advanced emergency medical technician, as defined in Section 26-8c-102;
42          (iv) a paramedic, as defined in Section 26-8c-102;
43          (v) a firefighter, as defined in Section 34A-3-113;
44          (vi) a dispatcher, as defined in Section 53-6-102; or
45          (vii) a correctional officer, as defined in Section 53-13-104.
46          (b) "First responder agency" means a local district, municipality, interlocal entity, or
47     other political subdivision that employs a first responder to provide fire protection, paramedic,
48     law enforcement, or emergency services.
49          (c) "Mental health resources" means:
50          (i) an assessment to determine appropriate mental health treatment that is performed by
51     a mental health therapist;
52          (ii) outpatient mental health treatment provided by a mental health therapist; or
53          (iii) peer support services provided by a peer support specialist who is qualified to
54     provide peer support services under Subsection 62A-15-103(2)(h).
55          (d) "Mental health therapist" means the same as that term is defined in Section
56     58-60-102.

57          (e) "Project" means a project to implement or expand a program that provides mental
58     health resources to first responders for which the division awards a grant under this section.
59          (2) On or before July 1, 2021, the division shall issue a request for proposals in
60     accordance with this section to award a grant to one or more first responder agencies to
61     implement a project.
62          (3) The purpose of a project is to provide mental health resources for first responders.
63          (4) An application for a grant under this section shall:
64          (a) explain how first responders will benefit from the provision of mental health
65     resources; and
66          (b) provide details regarding:
67          (i) how the proposed project plans to provide mental health resources to first
68     responders in the first responder agency;
69          (ii) the number of first responders served by the proposed project;
70          (iii) how the proposed project will ensure timely and effective provision of mental
71     health resources to first responders in the first responder agency;
72          (iv) the cost of the proposed project; and
73          (v) the sustainability of the proposed project.
74          (5) In evaluating a project proposal for a grant under this section, the division shall
75     consider:
76          (a) the extent to which the proposed project will fulfill the purpose described in
77     Subsection (3);
78          (b) the extent to which the first responders that will be served by the proposed project
79     are likely to benefit from the proposed project;
80          (c) the cost of the proposed project; and
81          (d) the viability of the proposed project.
82          (6) Before June 30, 2022, the division shall report to the Law Enforcement and
83     Criminal Justice Interim Committee regarding:
84          (a) each first responder agency awarded a grant under this section; and

85          (b) the details of each project.
86          (7) Before June 30, 2024, the division shall report to the Law Enforcement and
87     Criminal Justice Interim Committee regarding:
88          (a) any knowledge gained regarding provision of mental health resources to first
89     responders;
90          (b) data gathered in relation to each project;
91          (c) recommendations for the future use of mental health resources to first responders;
92     and
93          (d) obstacles encountered in the provision of mental health resources to first
94     responders.
95          Section 2. Section 63I-2-262 is amended to read:
96          63I-2-262. Repeal dates -- Title 62A.
97          (1) Subsection 62A-5-103.1(6) is repealed January 1, 2023.
98          [(2) Section 62A-5-111 is repealed January 1, 2021.]
99          (2) Section 62A-15-120 is repealed January 1, 2025.
100          Section 3. Appropriation.
101          The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
102     2021, and ending June 30, 2022. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
103     fiscal year 2022. Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures
104     Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts
105     indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
106     ITEM 1
107          To Department of Human Services -- Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health
108               From General Fund, One-time
$500,000

109               Schedule of Programs:
110                    Community Mental Health Services          $500,000
111          The Legislature intends that:
112          (1) the appropriation under this item be used to award grants under Section

113     62A-15-120; and
114          (2) under Section 63J-1-603, the one-time appropriation provided under this item not
115     lapse at the close of fiscal year 2022 and the use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to the
116     purposes described in Subsection (1) of this item.