Homelessness Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature

(Salt Lake City, UT) — A Utah bill affecting homeless shelters is still not law as it awaits Governor Cox’s signature. HB421 was passed during the recent legislative session. This legislation is called the Homelessness and Vulnerable Populations Amendments. Once signed, the bill requires homeless resource centers wanting state funding to prioritize up to 85 percent of their shelter bed capacity for three specific groups. The bill creates the HOME Court Pilot Program which will oversee court-ordered treatment for those with mental illness in Salt Lake County. On March 1st in his state of the state address, Cox said he would review all the bills up for his signature in the next twenty days.