Committee unanimously backs reporting requirements for state protection and advocacy agency

Sponsor presented the second substitute to Senate Bill 154, modeled in part on a North Carolina law, requiring the state protection and advocacy (P&A) agency to hold at least three public meetings annually across the state and to submit a written report by Aug. 31 each year to the Judiciary Interim Committee and the Health and Human Services Interim Committee. The bill aligns definitions with the Americans with Disabilities Act and specifies report content.

Nate Krippas, public affairs supervising attorney at the Disability Law Center (the federally designated P&A agency in Utah), said the center does not oppose the bill but noted federal reporting already exists and that the nonprofit cannot represent every individual who seeks assistance. He asked the committee to avoid imposing reporting that displaces advocacy work; Krippas offered to cooperate and suggested the agency could share federal reports where appropriate.

Other witnesses, including advocates and think‑tank representatives, supported reporting for transparency and accountability but warned against creating oversight obligations that unduly burden independent advocacy. The sponsor and testifiers emphasized the bill’s intent: strengthen transparency while preserving the agency’s independence and capacity to serve vulnerable individuals.

The committee favorably recommended the second substitute on a unanimous roll call (6–0). The committee and the sponsor signaled intent to monitor implementation so reporting supports advocacy rather than constrains it.