Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 272 Second Substitute (2015GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Thurston, N.  (Thurston’s own bill)

Final action

Governor Signed 3/31/2015

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• amends the composition of the Forensic Mental Health Coordinating Council;
• clarifies the responsibilities of the Forensic Mental Health Coordinating Council; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATING COUNCIL
AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Norman K Thurston
Senate Sponsor: 
 Deidre M. Henderson
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill amends provisions relating to the composition and responsibilities of the
Forensic Mental Health Coordinating Council.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ amends the composition of the Forensic Mental Health Coordinating Council;
▸ clarifies the responsibilities of the Forensic Mental Health Coordinating Council;
and
▸ makes technical changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
62A-15-605
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 366
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
62A-15-605
 is amended to read:
62A-15-605.
Forensic Mental Health Coordinating Council -- Establishment and
purpose.
(1) There is established the Forensic Mental Health Coordinating Council composed of
the following members:
(a) the director 
of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health
 or the director's
appointee;
(b) the superintendent of the state hospital or the superintendent's appointee;
(c) the executive director of the Department of Corrections or the executive director's
appointee;
(d) a member of the Board of Pardons and Parole or its appointee;
(e) the attorney general or the attorney general's appointee;
(f) the director of the Division of Services for People with Disabilities or the director's
appointee;
(g) the director of the Division of Juvenile Justice Services or the director's appointee;
(h) the director of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice or the director's
appointee;
(i) the state court administrator or the administrator's appointee;
(j) the state juvenile court administrator or the administrator's appointee;
(k) a representative from a local mental health authority or an organization, excluding
the state hospital that provides mental health services under contract with the Division of
Substance Abuse and Mental Health or a local mental health authority, as appointed by the
director of the division;
(l) the executive director of the [
Governor's Council for People with Disabilities
] 
Utah
Developmental Disabilities Council
 or the director's appointee; and
(m) other [
persons
] 
individuals, including individuals from appropriate advocacy
organizations with an interest in the mission described in Subsection (3),
 as appointed by the
members described in Subsections (1)(a) through (l).
(2) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but
may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
(a) Section 
63A-3-106
;
(b) Section 
63A-3-107
; and
(c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 
63A-3-106
 and
63A-3-107
.
(3) The purpose of the Forensic Mental Health Coordinating Council is to:
(a) advise the director regarding 
the state hospital
 admissions [
to the state hospital of
persons
] 
policy for individuals
 in the custody of the Department of Corrections;
(b) develop policies for coordination between the division and the Department of
Corrections;
(c) advise the executive director of the Department of Corrections regarding [
issues of
care for persons
] 
department policy related to the care of individuals
 in the custody of the
Department of Corrections who are mentally ill;
(d) promote communication between and coordination among all agencies dealing with
[
persons with an intellectual disability or mental illness
] 
individuals
 who become involved in
the civil commitment system or in the criminal or juvenile justice system;
(e) study, evaluate, and recommend changes to laws and procedures relating to
[
persons with an intellectual disability or mental illness
] 
individuals
 who become involved in
the civil commitment system or in the criminal or juvenile justice system;
(f) identify and promote the implementation of specific policies and programs to deal
fairly and efficiently with [
persons with an intellectual disability or mental illness
] 
individuals
who become involved in the civil commitment system or in the criminal or juvenile justice
system; and
(g) promote judicial education relating to [
persons with an intellectual disability or
mental illness
] 
individuals
 who become involved in the civil commitment system or in the
criminal or juvenile justice system.
Legislative Review Note
 as of 2-4-15 10:38 AM
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel