The Utah Senate approved third-substitute House Bill 167, which requires coordination between local mental health authorities and the Department of Corrections to maintain continuity of mental-health services for residents on probation or parole.
Senator Pitcher, presenting the measure, moved an amendment limited to technical corrections. "This amendment just corrects some typos that were in, that are in the pre the current bill," Pitcher said on the floor; the amendment was adopted without objection.
Pitcher described the bill’s core: "This bill, provides that a local mental health authority shall coordinate with the department of corrections to ensure the continuity of mental health services for those residents that are on probation or parole. It also implements a number of, good provisions that help with community integration." He said the changes facilitate community reintegration by ensuring treatment continuity.
A roll-call recorded 19 aye votes, 0 nay votes and 10 absences; the chamber advanced the amended third substitute for third reading.
Ending: The bill passed the Senate floor vote to be read for a third time; the measure centers on interagency coordination to maintain behavioral-health services as people reenter the community.