Senate approves behavioral health bill that funds Uinta Basin receiving center and adds homeless shelter capacity provisions

The Utah Senate passed sixth substitute House Bill 572, a package of behavioral and mental health amendments that includes funding for a receiving center in the Uinta Basin and policy to allow shelter capacity expansion under certain emergency conditions.

Senator Vickers moved to substitute the fifth substitute with the sixth, explaining the new language coordinates funding and brings important policy pieces from another bill addressing homeless shelters. The Senate adopted Amendment 1 in Senator Vickers’ name to coordinate funding. Because the body suspended the constitutional three‑reading requirement for the day, Senators then voted on final passage; HB572, as substituted and amended, passed with a roll-call vote of 26 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent, and will be returned to the House.

Sponsor remarks and committee reports indicated the bill was developed in coordination with the Behavioral Health Commission and is intended to fund the operation of a regional receiving center while also consolidating some policy enabling expanded shelter responses during critical situations. The action included both substitution of the bill text and a floor amendment addressing funding coordination.

The Senate recorded the substitution, amendment, and final vote on the same day; legislative staff will return the bill to the House for final consideration.