Utah Senate advances package of bills on mental health training, family law, courts and corrections

The Utah State Senate on day 7 amended and passed multiple measures affecting mental‑health professional training, family law, court procedures and judicial staffing, and approved a symbolic joint resolution urging Congress to keep the Supreme Court at nine justices.

The measures moved through the chamber after brief presentations from sponsors and largely voice or roll‑call support. Sponsors said the bills address workforce capacity for behavioral‑health clinicians, clarify alimony awards, set a bright‑line definition of indigency for fee waivers, add judges in rural districts with a modest fiscal note, and expand correctional officer eligibility to younger recruits.

Senator Kennedy offered a one‑word amendment to First Substitute Senate Bill 44 (Mental Health Professional Practice Act Amendments) to correct an inaccuracy; the amendment was adopted and the Senate passed the bill 26‑0 with three absent. Kennedy said the bill “expands the opportunities that our clinical mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists have to complete their training,” which sponsors argued will increase provider capacity to treat depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.

Senator Wyler described First Substitute Senate Bill 74 as a targeted change to alimony law intended to clarify the effect of cohabitation during a pending divorce and to credit temporary alimony toward the total award. The Senate passed the bill on final reading, 27‑0 with two absent.

Senator Iwamoto sponsored Senate Bill 87 to streamline fee waivers for low‑income court users. He said the bill establishes a bright‑line definition of indigency tied to 150% of the federal poverty level and to receipt of means‑tested benefits such as TANF, SSI, Medicaid or SNAP, while preserving the existing affidavit option for those who do not meet the bright‑line tests. "These bright line standards will save the judicial time and resources and ensure consistent application of law," Iwamoto said. The Senate advanced the bill 27‑0 with two absent.

Senate Bill 86, brought by Senator Weiler, would add judges in rural judicial districts; sponsors noted a fiscal note of $449,000 and said the change responds to caseload pressure. The measure received final‑reading approval, 28‑0 with one absent.

Senate Bill 96, which would allow 19‑year‑olds to serve as correctional officers in the Department of Corrections (extending a county pilot to state facilities), was described by Senator Iwamoto as a workforce option and passed 27‑0 with two absent.

Other floor actions included adoption of numerous standing committee reports, and the Senate’s passage of SB26 (Division of Consumer Protection amendments) and SB79 (extension of a school information management completion date to 2026). Several bills were temporarily circled for further stakeholder work, including Senate Bill 85 (protective order and stalking injunction expungement), which the sponsor said he wanted to refine with stakeholders before final action.

The Senate also observed a moment of silence to honor Capitol facilities employee Dave Langley and received a personal recognition for visiting family members.

Votes at a glance

• First Substitute SB44 (Mental Health Professional Practice Act Amendments): amended on floor and passed 26‑0 (3 absent).
• Second Substitute SB65 (Asset Forfeiture Amendments): amended on floor and passed 26‑0 (3 absent).
• First Substitute SB74 (Alimony Modifications): passed 27‑0 (2 absent).
• Second Substitute SB85 (Protective Order & Stalking Expungement): circled for further stakeholder work (no final vote).
• SB86 (District and Juvenile Court Judge Amendments): passed 28‑0 (1 absent); fiscal note cited at $449,000.
• SB87 (Court Fee Waiver Amendments): passed 27‑0 (2 absent); establishes indigency standard tied to 150% FPL and specified benefits.
• SB96 (Correctional Officer Eligibility Amendments): passed 27‑0 (2 absent).
• SB26 (Division of Consumer Protection Amendments): uncircled and passed 27‑0 (2 absent).
• SB79 (School Information Management System Amendments): passed 28‑0 (1 absent).

The Senate adjourned and scheduled committee work and other events; President Adams recessed the chamber until 11 a.m. the following day.