February 20, 2026
Nate Crippes / Public Affairs Supervising Attorney
ncrippes@disabilitylawcenter.org
Andrew Riggle / Public Policy Advocate
ariggle@disabilitylawcenter.org
(801) 363-1347 / (800) 662-9080
disabilitylawcenter.org
Dear Chairs Stevenson, Peterson, and Executive Appropriations Committee Members,
Thank you for your unwavering support of Utah’s disability community. Your efforts to protect critical services and programs have not gone unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful for your leadership and compassion. As the process continues, we urge you to follow the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee’s recommendations regarding removing several critical items, especially those related to the Division of Services for People with Disabilities and community mental health, from the proposed cut list.
We recognize that difficult budget decisions lie ahead. If cuts become unavoidable, we encourage you to use a portion of the income tax for services and programs supporting children or individuals with disabilities. This constitutional provision exists precisely for moments like these, when our most vulnerable neighbors need protection.
Guardianship Representation
The Guardianship Signature Program is only able to fulfill 38% of requests for a volunteer attorney to represent a respondent to a guardianship petition. The remaining 62% either meet with a court visitor or are unrepresented. Recently, we have observed courts granting a temporary guardianship and several months later converting it to a full guardianship without the required court visitor report because of that program’s backlog. We believe independent and zealous representation is critical when a person’s fundamental rights and freedoms are at stake. This is why we support the court’s request, ranked #32 by the Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, of $667,600 ongoing for two contract attorneys and another court visitor coordinator. At the same time, we strongly encourage the legislature to explore more sustainable funding options, like Nevada’s, for meeting the state’s statutory obligation to provide representation to a proposed ward who does not already have their own counsel.
Mental Health Funding
To break the cycle of crisis, hospitalization, or incarceration, we support Rep. Clancy’s request of $2 million ongoing, SSA’s #19 priority, for Utah’s community behavioral health centers.
Likewise, we support Rep. Eliason’s one-time request, at #44, to expand copayment assistance and intensive outpatient treatment for youth with a serious emotional disturbance through the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
We are concerned about Salt Lake County’s request for $2 million one-time for criminal justice high utilizers, which the Community Development and Workforce Services Appropriations Subcommittee ranked at #6. Our understanding is this is intended as part of a match for two 30+-bed boarding homes for people with severe mental illness. We have visited several similar facilities recently. Generally, people must live there to access intensive wraparound services, like an assertive community treatment team. Unfortunately, the homes do not help residents learn how to maintain a home, budget, or access the community. Typically, residents have no planned activities and spend time walking the hallways or sitting outside rather than working on skill building. At most, there is no pathway for a person with SMI to move into their own homes or return to living with family members. Instead, in conversation with county officials, it was routinely expressed that these large, expensive facilities would be a lifetime placement. Sadly, supporting people in smaller, integrated settings that allow for greater independence is not something that is meaningfully discussed or enabled.
DSPD Waiting List
We appreciate SSA ranking $12,514,600 for mandated additional needs at #4 on the ongoing list. We are also deeply grateful for Rep. Ward’s request, at #5 on the ongoing list even in a tight budget year, of $1,686,800 to bring 100 people off the waiting list. Each person on the list represents a family in need of support, and this investment will make a tangible difference in their lives while demonstrating our state’s commitment to addressing the backlog of unmet needs.
Home Health and Private Duty Nursing Rate Increases
We are grateful for Social Services support of the $2,897,400 needed to maintain the recent rate increase for home health providers. These rates enable Utahns with disabilities and aging adults to remain in their homes rather than entering nursing facilities, which aligns with individual preference, family capacity, and fiscal responsibility.
The same principle applies to Rep. Ward’s #27 request for $1,925,900 in ongoing funding for a private duty nursing rate increase. Private duty nursing provides life-sustaining care for individuals dependent on technology such as tracheostomies and ventilators. Without the respite this service offers to families, many of these individuals would require facility-based care at far greater expense to the state.
New Choices Waiver Personal Care Rate Increase
Finally, we thank SSA for supporting Rep. Ward’s request, at #26, for a $2 million personal care rate increase for the New Choices Waiver and aging waiver. The New Choices Waiver faces a genuine crisis. Assisted living facilities are increasingly unwilling to accept or retain NCW participants. We have documented numerous facilities discharging current residents, refusing new NCW participants, withdrawing from the program entirely, or even closing their doors. Participants and their families face additional fees, including charges for power wheelchair use.
Without adequate rates, the waiver’s core purpose—keeping people in homes and community settings rather than nursing facilities—becomes impossible to achieve. This rate increase is essential to stabilizing the program and honoring our commitment to community-based care.
Moving Forward
All the appropriations subcommittee have demonstrated remarkable understanding of what these programs mean to Utahns and their families. As you move into final deliberations and votes, please adopt your colleagues priorities as fully as possible.
The disability community is watching, hoping, and counting on your leadership. These are not merely budget lines—they are lifelines for tens of thousands of Utahns who deserve the chance to live with dignity, independence, and hope.
As always, thank you for your time and considering our recommendations. Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information.