Bill > HB0491

This bill introduces several modifications to behavioral health regulations and services in Utah. First, it adds a new definition for a "behavioral health receiving center" as a 23-hour non-secure facility providing mental health crisis services, and establishes licensing requirements for such centers, including rules for initial and renewal applications and fee collection. The bill also mandates that the state's Department of Health and Human Services incorporate a payment structure in Medicaid mental health plans to support directed payments to the Utah State Hospital and Huntsman Mental Health Institute for inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services, with the goal of preserving and improving access to behavioral health hospital services. Additionally, the bill includes an amendment to firearm safekeeping procedures, requiring the department to create a publicly searchable registry of law enforcement agencies that can receive voluntarily committed firearms and develop a marketing plan to educate agencies and the public about these options. The bill also includes fiscal year 2026 appropriations totaling approximately $1,036,100 for various behavioral health initiatives, such as suicide prevention campaigns, community training, and increasing Medicaid rates for peer support and mobile crisis services. The bill is set to take effect on May 7, 2025.

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https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0491.html