Senate advances behavioral-health bill that starts $200,000 RFP and Medicaid waiver process

The Utah Senate passed SB 41 (Behavioral Health Services Amendments) during its Feb. 2 floor session. Senator Michael J. Kennedy, sponsor of the bill, told colleagues SB 41 "does 3 things": it initiates an RFP for $200,000 to fund combined physical and behavioral-health treatment; it starts a state Medicaid waiver application to continue an existing program; and it allows buprenorphine, an opioid-use disorder medication, to be included in the charitable drug-recycling program pending federal approval.

Senator Kennedy said the bill aims to reduce waste of buprenorphine by permitting it to be recycled within authorized charitable programs, and to begin the administrative steps (RFP and waiver application) needed to expand or continue combined services. The Senate recorded a vote of 26 yea, 0 nay, and 3 absent; SB 41 will be transmitted to the House for its consideration.

The floor exchange contained no recorded opposition; sponsors waived summation and moved quickly to a roll-call vote. The transcript does not include implementation timelines for the RFP or details on the Medicaid-waiver application process beyond the sponsor’s description.