Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 171 First Substitute (2022GS)

Sponsor

Sen. Thatcher, D.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/24/2022

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms; and
• requires the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, within the University of Utah, to:
• coordinate with the State Board of Education to develop a youth curriculum on behavioral health;
• publish the curriculum online; and
• annually update the curriculum and distribute the curriculum to certain individuals and organizations in the state.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CURRICULUM PROGRAM
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Daniel W. Thatcher
House Sponsor: 
Steve Eliason
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill requires the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, within the University of Utah,
to develop a youth behavioral health curriculum.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms; and
▸ requires the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, within the University of Utah, to:
• coordinate with the State Board of Education to develop a youth curriculum on
behavioral health;
• publish the curriculum online; and
• annually update the curriculum and distribute the curriculum to certain
individuals and organizations in the state.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
53B-17-1301
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
53B-17-1302
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
53B-17-1301
 is enacted to read:
Part 13. Behavioral Health Services
 53B-17-1301.
Definitions.
As used in this part, "Huntsman Mental Health Institute" means the mental health and
substance use treatment institute within the University of Utah.
Section 2. Section 
53B-17-1302
 is enacted to read:
 53B-17-1302.
Huntsman Mental Health Institute -- Behavioral health curriculum.
(1) The Huntsman Mental Health Institute shall coordinate with the State Board of
Education to develop a youth curriculum to increase awareness about behavioral health
challenges facing youth in the state.
(2) The curriculum described in Subsection (1) shall include age-appropriate
information on:
(a) the connection and importance of mental health to overall health;
(b) tools for maintaining mental health wellness, including evidence-based practices
used to overcome behavioral health challenges;
(c) signs and symptoms of common behavioral health challenges and ways to respond
to the signs and symptoms;
(d) the prevalence of behavioral health challenges across all populations;
(e) common behavioral health conditions and evidence-based treatments for common
behavioral health conditions; and
(f) how to seek assistance or find support for a behavioral health challenge in a school
and the community.
(3) The Huntsman Mental Health Institute shall annually:
(a) update the curriculum in coordination with the State Board of Education;
(b) publish the curriculum on the Huntsman Mental Health Institute's website in a
conspicuous location; and
(c) distribute the curriculum as a resource to:
(i) parents and guardians of elementary and secondary school students;
(ii) elementary and secondary schools; and
(iii) other organizations that serve youth in the state.
(4) The Huntsman Mental Health Institute shall consider feedback provided to the
Huntsman Mental Health Institute about the curriculum when annually updating the curriculum
under Subsection (3)(a).