House approves grant program to install suicide barriers in county jails (H.B. 259)

SALT LAKE CITY — In response to alarming jail-death figures, the Utah House approved H.B. 259 on Feb. 3 to establish a suicide-deterrence grant program that would fund installation of physical barriers in county jails.

Representative Moss, sponsor of the bill, said data showed Utah had the highest per-capita deaths in county jails in 2016 and stressed that a majority of those deaths were suicides. The bill would require the Department of Public Safety to administer grants to counties for suicide barriers such as netting or wiring installed above tiers to deter jump attempts.

Moss said sheriffs throughout the state prioritized physical barriers when lawmakers asked what would help reduce jail suicides. She described the devices as visually permeable but physically effective, noting research and examples where barriers reduced fatalities.

“So if we can stop even one death by suicide, this will be worth it,” Moss said on the House floor.

The House voted to pass H.B. 259 by a 71–1 margin and the bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.

What’s next: The bill will go to the Senate. If enacted, the Department of Public Safety will administer grants to counties for suicide-deterrence installations and the program’s design will proceed in coordination with local sheriffs.

Vote record: 71 yea, 1 nay (as recorded on the floor).