UT
Utah House Bill HB0266

Utah 2025 Regular Session

Utah House Bill HB0266 Compare Versions

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1-Enrolled Copy H.B. 266
2-1
1+01-18 17:12 H.B. 266
2+0
33 Veteran Housing Amendments
44 2025 GENERAL SESSION
55 STATE OF UTAH
66 Chief Sponsor: Jennifer Dailey-Provost
7-Senate Sponsor: Calvin R. Musselman
7+1
8+
89 2
10+LONG TITLE
11+3
12+General Description:
13+4
14+This bill addresses veteran homelessness.
15+5
16+Highlighted Provisions:
17+6
18+This bill:
19+7
20+▸ requires the Utah Homeless Services Board and the Department of Veterans and Military
21+8
22+Affairs to work in conjunction to create best practices for assisting veterans experiencing
23+9
24+homelessness; and
25+10
26+▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
27+11
28+Money Appropriated in this Bill:
29+12
30+None
31+13
32+Other Special Clauses:
33+14
34+None
35+15
36+Utah Code Sections Affected:
37+16
38+AMENDS:
39+17
40+35A-16-205, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapters 204, 338 and 349
41+18
42+71A-1-201, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 44 and last amended by
43+19
44+Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 154
45+20
946
10-3
11-LONG TITLE
12-4
13-General Description:
14-5
15-This bill addresses veteran homelessness.
16-6
17-Highlighted Provisions:
18-7
19-This bill:
20-8
21-▸ requires the Utah Homeless Services Board and the Department of Veterans and Military
22-9
23-Affairs to work in conjunction to create best practices for assisting veterans experiencing
24-10
25-homelessness; and
26-11
27-▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
28-12
29-Money Appropriated in this Bill:
30-13
31-None
32-14
33-Other Special Clauses:
34-15
35-None
36-16
37-Utah Code Sections Affected:
38-17
39-AMENDS:
40-18
41-35A-16-205, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapters 204, 338 and 349
42-19
43-71A-1-201, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 44 and last amended by
44-20
45-Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 154
4647 21
47-
48+Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
4849 22
49-Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
50+Section 1. Section 35A-16-205 is amended to read:
5051 23
51-Section 1. Section 35A-16-205 is amended to read:
52+35A-16-205 . Duties of the board.
5253 24
53-35A-16-205 . Duties of the board.
54+(1) The board:
5455 25
55-(1) The board:
56+(a) shall provide final approval for:
5657 26
57-(a) shall provide final approval for:
58+(i) a funding formula developed by the steering committee under Section 35A-16-211;
5859 27
59-(i) a funding formula developed by the steering committee under Section 35A-16-211;
60+(ii) the homeless services budget;
6061 28
61-(ii) the homeless services budget; H.B. 266 Enrolled Copy
62+(iii) the strategic plan; and
6263 29
63-(iii) the strategic plan; and
64+(iv) the awarding of funding for the provision of homeless services as described in
6465 30
65-(iv) the awarding of funding for the provision of homeless services as described in
66+Subsection 35A-16-203(1)(d); H.B. 266 01-18 17:12
6667 31
67-Subsection 35A-16-203(1)(d);
68+(b) in cooperation with the coordinator, shall:
6869 32
69-(b) in cooperation with the coordinator, shall:
70+(i) develop and maintain the homeless services budget;
7071 33
71-(i) develop and maintain the homeless services budget;
72+(ii) develop and maintain the strategic plan; and
7273 34
73-(ii) develop and maintain the strategic plan; and
74+(iii) review applications and approve funding for the provision of homeless services
7475 35
75-(iii) review applications and approve funding for the provision of homeless services
76+in the state as described in Subsection 35A-16-203(1)(d);
7677 36
77-in the state as described in Subsection 35A-16-203(1)(d);
78+(c) shall review local and regional plans for providing services to individuals
7879 37
79-(c) shall review local and regional plans for providing services to individuals
80+experiencing homelessness;
8081 38
81-experiencing homelessness;
82+(d) shall cooperate with local homeless councils to:
8283 39
83-(d) shall cooperate with local homeless councils to:
84+(i) develop a common agenda and vision for reducing homelessness in each local
8485 40
85-(i) develop a common agenda and vision for reducing homelessness in each local
86+oversight body's respective region;
8687 41
87-oversight body's respective region;
88+(ii) as part of the homeless services budget, develop a spending plan that coordinates
8889 42
89-(ii) as part of the homeless services budget, develop a spending plan that coordinates
90+the funding supplied to local stakeholders; and
9091 43
91-the funding supplied to local stakeholders; and
92+(iii) align local funding to projects that improve outcomes and target specific needs in
9293 44
93-(iii) align local funding to projects that improve outcomes and target specific needs in
94+each community;
9495 45
95-each community;
96+(e) shall coordinate gap funding with private entities for providing services to
9697 46
97-(e) shall coordinate gap funding with private entities for providing services to
98+individuals experiencing homelessness;
9899 47
99-individuals experiencing homelessness;
100+(f) shall recommend performance and accountability measures for service providers,
100101 48
101-(f) shall recommend performance and accountability measures for service providers,
102+including the support of collecting consistent and transparent data;
102103 49
103-including the support of collecting consistent and transparent data;
104+(g) when reviewing and giving final approval for requests as described in Subsection
104105 50
105-(g) when reviewing and giving final approval for requests as described in Subsection
106+35A-16-203(1)(d):
106107 51
107-35A-16-203(1)(d):
108+(i) may only recommend funding if the proposed recipient has a policy to share
108109 52
109-(i) may only recommend funding if the proposed recipient has a policy to share
110+client-level service information with other entities in accordance with state and
110111 53
111-client-level service information with other entities in accordance with state and
112+federal law to enhance the coordination of services for individuals who are
112113 54
113-federal law to enhance the coordination of services for individuals who are
114+experiencing homelessness; and
114115 55
115-experiencing homelessness; and
116+(ii) shall identify specific targets and benchmarks that align with the strategic plan for
116117 56
117-(ii) shall identify specific targets and benchmarks that align with the strategic plan for
118+each recommended award;
118119 57
119-each recommended award;
120+(h) shall regularly update the state strategic plan on homelessness to reflect proven
120121 58
121-(h) shall regularly update the state strategic plan on homelessness to reflect proven
122+strategies to reduce homelessness among:
122123 59
123-strategies to reduce homelessness among:
124+(i) the unsheltered;
124125 60
125-(i) the unsheltered;
126+(ii) the chronically or episodically homeless; and
126127 61
127-(ii) the chronically or episodically homeless; and
128+(iii) the situationally homeless;
128129 62
129-(iii) the situationally homeless;
130-- 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 266
130+(i) shall develop annual state and local goals for reducing homelessness among the target
131131 63
132-(i) shall develop annual state and local goals for reducing homelessness among the target
132+subpopulations identified by the board;
133133 64
134-subpopulations identified by the board;
134+(j) shall work with the local homeless councils to carry out the requirements of
135+- 2 - 01-18 17:12 H.B. 266
135136 65
136-(j) shall work with the local homeless councils to carry out the requirements of
137+Subsection 35A-16-211(3);
137138 66
138-Subsection 35A-16-211(3);
139+(k) shall develop metrics for measuring the effectiveness of providers in assisting clients
139140 67
140-(k) shall develop metrics for measuring the effectiveness of providers in assisting clients
141+to successfully progress through the services coordinated by a continuum of care;
141142 68
142-to successfully progress through the services coordinated by a continuum of care;
143+(l) shall create best practices for a service provider to administer services to an
143144 69
144-(l) shall create best practices for a service provider to administer services to an
145+individual experiencing homelessness, including promotion of:
145146 70
146-individual experiencing homelessness, including promotion of:
147+(i) a recognition of the human dignity of clients served;
147148 71
148-(i) a recognition of the human dignity of clients served;
149+(ii) a need to develop self-reliance;
149150 72
150-(ii) a need to develop self-reliance;
151+(iii) the value of work;
151152 73
152-(iii) the value of work;
153+(iv) personal accountability; and
153154 74
154-(iv) personal accountability; and
155+(v) personal progress toward greater personal independence;
155156 75
156-(v) personal progress toward greater personal independence;
157+(m) shall make recommendations for uniform standards for enforcing pedestrian safety
157158 76
158-(m) shall make recommendations for uniform standards for enforcing pedestrian safety
159+and camping laws and ordinances;
159160 77
160-and camping laws and ordinances;
161+(n) shall identify best practices for responding to unsheltered individuals experiencing
161162 78
162-(n) shall identify best practices for responding to unsheltered individuals experiencing
163+mental health disorder and substance use disorder;
163164 79
164-mental health disorder and substance use disorder;
165+(o) shall make recommendations for strategies to reduce illegal drug use within
165166 80
166-(o) shall make recommendations for strategies to reduce illegal drug use within
167+homeless shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing;
167168 81
168-homeless shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing;
169+(p) shall facilitate client connection to alternative support systems, including behavioral
169170 82
170-(p) shall facilitate client connection to alternative support systems, including behavioral
171+health services, addiction recovery, and residential services;
171172 83
172-health services, addiction recovery, and residential services;
173+(q) shall facilitate participation in HMIS, where appropriate and in alignment with
173174 84
174-(q) shall facilitate participation in HMIS, where appropriate and in alignment with
175+established HMIS policies, and data sharing agreements among all participants in a
175176 85
176-established HMIS policies, and data sharing agreements among all participants in a
177+client support network, including homeless services, physical health systems, mental
177178 86
178-client support network, including homeless services, physical health systems, mental
179+health systems, and the criminal justice system;
179180 87
180-health systems, and the criminal justice system;
181+(r) shall make recommendations to the office for defining "successful exit,"
181182 88
182-(r) shall make recommendations to the office for defining "successful exit,"
183+"unsuccessful exit," and "neutral exit";
183184 89
184-"unsuccessful exit," and "neutral exit";
185+(s) shall evaluate additional opportunities for the office to become a collaborative
185186 90
186-(s) shall evaluate additional opportunities for the office to become a collaborative
187+applicant;
187188 91
188-applicant;
189+(t) shall coordinate with the continuums of care to provide for cooperative distribution of
189190 92
190-(t) shall coordinate with the continuums of care to provide for cooperative distribution of
191+available funding;
191192 93
192-available funding;
193+(u) shall work in conjunction with the executive directors of the Department of
193194 94
194-(u) shall work in conjunction with the executive directors of the Department of
195+Workforce Services, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the
195196 95
196-Workforce Services, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the
197+Department of Corrections to create best practices for helping individuals exiting
197198 96
198-Department of Corrections to create best practices for helping individuals exiting
199-- 3 - H.B. 266 Enrolled Copy
199+from incarceration or an institution to avoid homelessness;[ and]
200200 97
201-from incarceration or an institution to avoid homelessness;[ and]
201+(v) shall establish standards for the prioritization of beds located in homeless shelters in
202202 98
203-(v) shall establish standards for the prioritization of beds located in homeless shelters in
203+accordance with Section 35A-16-205.1; and
204+- 3 - H.B. 266 01-18 17:12
204205 99
205-accordance with Section 35A-16-205.1; and
206+(w) shall work in conjunction with the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs to
206207 100
207-(w) shall work in conjunction with the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs to
208+create best practices for helping veterans, as that term is defined in Section 68-3-12.5,
208209 101
209-create best practices for helping veterans, as that term is defined in Section 68-3-12.5,
210+avoid homelessness.
210211 102
211-avoid homelessness.
212+(2)(a) In approving a funding formula, as described in Subsection (1)(a)(i), the board
212213 103
213-(2)(a) In approving a funding formula, as described in Subsection (1)(a)(i), the board
214+shall take action on a proposed funding formula by a two-thirds vote.
214215 104
215-shall take action on a proposed funding formula by a two-thirds vote.
216+(b) If the board cannot approve a proposed funding formula, the board shall refer the
216217 105
217-(b) If the board cannot approve a proposed funding formula, the board shall refer the
218+proposed funding formula back to the steering committee for further consideration.
218219 106
219-proposed funding formula back to the steering committee for further consideration.
220+(3)(a) The executive committee shall act in an advisory capacity for the board and make
220221 107
221-(3)(a) The executive committee shall act in an advisory capacity for the board and make
222+recommendations regarding the board's duties under Subsection (1).
222223 108
223-recommendations regarding the board's duties under Subsection (1).
224+(b) The executive committee does not have authority to make decisions independent of
224225 109
225-(b) The executive committee does not have authority to make decisions independent of
226+the board.
226227 110
227-the board.
228+Section 2. Section 71A-1-201 is amended to read:
228229 111
229-Section 2. Section 71A-1-201 is amended to read:
230+71A-1-201 . Department of Veterans and Military Affairs -- Creation --
230231 112
231-71A-1-201 . Department of Veterans and Military Affairs -- Creation --
232+Appointment of executive director -- Department responsibilities.
232233 113
233-Appointment of executive director -- Department responsibilities.
234+(1) There is created the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs.
234235 114
235-(1) There is created the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs.
236+(2) The governor shall appoint an executive director for the department who is subject to
236237 115
237-(2) The governor shall appoint an executive director for the department who is subject to
238+Senate confirmation.
238239 116
239-Senate confirmation.
240+(3) The executive director shall be a veteran.
240241 117
241-(3) The executive director shall be a veteran.
242+(4) The department shall:
242243 118
243-(4) The department shall:
244+(a) conduct and supervise all veteran and military affairs activities as provided in this
244245 119
245-(a) conduct and supervise all veteran and military affairs activities as provided in this
246+title;
246247 120
247-title;
248+(b) adopt rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
248249 121
249-(b) adopt rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
250+Rulemaking Act, to carry out the provisions of this title;
250251 122
251-Rulemaking Act, to carry out the provisions of this title;
252+(c) in accordance with Section 41-1a-418:
252253 123
253-(c) in accordance with Section 41-1a-418:
254+(i) determine which campaign or combat theater awards are eligible for a special
254255 124
255-(i) determine which campaign or combat theater awards are eligible for a special
256+group license plate;
256257 125
257-group license plate;
258+(ii) verify that an applicant for a campaign or combat theater award special group
258259 126
259-(ii) verify that an applicant for a campaign or combat theater award special group
260+license plate is qualified to receive it; and
260261 127
261-license plate is qualified to receive it; and
262+(iii) provide an applicant that qualifies a form indicating the campaign or combat
262263 128
263-(iii) provide an applicant that qualifies a form indicating the campaign or combat
264+theater award special group license plate for which the applicant qualifies;
264265 129
265-theater award special group license plate for which the applicant qualifies;
266+(d) maintain liaison with local, state, and federal veterans agencies and with Utah
266267 130
267-(d) maintain liaison with local, state, and federal veterans agencies and with Utah
268-- 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 266
268+veterans organizations;
269269 131
270-veterans organizations;
270+(e) provide current information to veterans, service members, their surviving spouses
271271 132
272-(e) provide current information to veterans, service members, their surviving spouses
272+and family members, and Utah veterans and military organizations on benefits they
273+- 4 - 01-18 17:12 H.B. 266
273274 133
274-and family members, and Utah veterans and military organizations on benefits they
275+are entitled to;
275276 134
276-are entitled to;
277+(f) assist veterans, service members, and their families in applying for benefits and
277278 135
278-(f) assist veterans, service members, and their families in applying for benefits and
279+services;
279280 136
280-services;
281+(g) cooperate with other state entities in the receipt of information to create and maintain
281282 137
282-(g) cooperate with other state entities in the receipt of information to create and maintain
283+a record of veterans in Utah;
283284 138
284-a record of veterans in Utah;
285+(h) create and administer a veterans assistance registry in accordance with Chapter 5,
285286 139
286-(h) create and administer a veterans assistance registry in accordance with Chapter 5,
287+Veterans Assistance Registry, with recommendations from the council, that provides
287288 140
288-Veterans Assistance Registry, with recommendations from the council, that provides
289+contact information to the qualified donors of materials and labor for certain qualified
289290 141
290-contact information to the qualified donors of materials and labor for certain qualified
291+recipients;
291292 142
292-recipients;
293+(i) identify military-related issues, challenges, and opportunities, and develop plans for
293294 143
294-(i) identify military-related issues, challenges, and opportunities, and develop plans for
295+addressing them;
295296 144
296-addressing them;
297+(j) develop, coordinate, and maintain relationships with military leaders of Utah military
297298 145
298-(j) develop, coordinate, and maintain relationships with military leaders of Utah military
299+installations, including the Utah National Guard;
299300 146
300-installations, including the Utah National Guard;
301+(k) develop and maintain relationships with military-related organizations in Utah;[ and]
301302 147
302-(k) develop and maintain relationships with military-related organizations in Utah;[ and]
303+(l) consult with municipalities and counties regarding compatible use plans as described
303304 148
304-(l) consult with municipalities and counties regarding compatible use plans as described
305+in Sections 10-9a-537 and 17-27a-533; and
305306 149
306-in Sections 10-9a-537 and 17-27a-533; and
307+(m) work in conjunction with the Utah Homeless Services Board to create best practices
307308 150
308-(m) work in conjunction with the Utah Homeless Services Board to create best practices
309+for helping veterans, as that term is defined in Section 68-3-12.5, avoid homelessness.
309310 151
310-for helping veterans, as that term is defined in Section 68-3-12.5, avoid homelessness.
311+(5)(a) The department may award grants for the purpose of supporting veteran and
311312 152
312-(5)(a) The department may award grants for the purpose of supporting veteran and
313+military outreach, employment, education, healthcare, homelessness prevention, and
313314 153
314-military outreach, employment, education, healthcare, homelessness prevention, and
315+recognition events.
315316 154
316-recognition events.
317+(b) The department may award a grant described in Subsection (5)(a) to:
317318 155
318-(b) The department may award a grant described in Subsection (5)(a) to:
319+(i) an institution of higher education listed in Section 53B-1-102;
319320 156
320-(i) an institution of higher education listed in Section 53B-1-102;
321+(ii) a nonprofit organization involved in veterans or military-related activities; or
321322 157
322-(ii) a nonprofit organization involved in veterans or military-related activities; or
323+(iii) a political subdivision of the state.
323324 158
324-(iii) a political subdivision of the state.
325+(c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
325326 159
326-(c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
327+department shall make rules for the administration of grants, including establishing:
327328 160
328-department shall make rules for the administration of grants, including establishing:
329+(i) the form and process for submitting an application to the department;
329330 161
330-(i) the form and process for submitting an application to the department;
331+(ii) the method and criteria for selecting a grant recipient;
331332 162
332-(ii) the method and criteria for selecting a grant recipient;
333+(iii) the method and formula for determining a grant amount; and
333334 163
334-(iii) the method and formula for determining a grant amount; and
335+(iv) the reporting requirements of a grant recipient.
335336 164
336-(iv) the reporting requirements of a grant recipient.
337-- 5 - H.B. 266 Enrolled Copy
337+(6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
338338 165
339-(6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
339+department may make rules related to:
340340 166
341-department may make rules related to:
341+(a) the consultation with municipalities and counties regarding compatible use plans as
342+- 5 - H.B. 266 01-18 17:12
342343 167
343-(a) the consultation with municipalities and counties regarding compatible use plans as
344+required in Subsection (4)(l); and
344345 168
345-required in Subsection (4)(l); and
346+(b) criteria to evaluate whether a proposed land use is compatible with military
346347 169
347-(b) criteria to evaluate whether a proposed land use is compatible with military
348+operations.
348349 170
349-operations.
350+(7) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as altering or preempting any provisions of
350351 171
351-(7) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as altering or preempting any provisions of
352+Title 39A, National Guard and Militia Act, as specifically related to the Utah National
352353 172
353-Title 39A, National Guard and Militia Act, as specifically related to the Utah National
354+Guard.
354355 173
355-Guard.
356+Section 3. Effective Date.
356357 174
357-Section 3. Effective Date.
358-175
359358 This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
360359 - 6 -