Homeless Individuals Protection Amendments
SB 78 creates a "homeless services provider ombudsman" within Utah's Office of Homeless Services to address complaints from individuals experiencing homelessness about service providers. The ombudsman investigates allegations that providers violate laws, endanger health/safety, or act without proper justification, and provides training on rights and services. Service providers must display posters with complaint information and contact details for the ombudsman. This bill directly affects homeless individuals seeking services and the organizations providing those services, with no new funding required.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 21, 2025
Signed Mar 26, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Substitute #1
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
Mar 26, 2025
MODERATE
This bill establishes a new Homeless Services Provider Ombudsman within the Office of Homeless Services to investigate complaints from individuals experiencing homelessness regarding service providers. The ombudsman will have the power to investigate complaints, recommend policy changes, and report annually on complaint trends. The bill also updates reporting requirements for homelessness outcomes and sets a sunset date of July 1, 2030, for the new ombudsman provisions.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of the Office of Homeless Services by creating a new independent oversight role (the ombudsman) specifically tasked with investigating complaints against service providers, whereas previously there was no dedicated ombudsman mechanism for this purpose.
ENFORCEMENT
Creation of a new 'Homeless Services Provider Ombudsman' position to investigate complaints regarding acts or omissions by service providers affecting clients.
REQUIREMENT
Requirement for service providers to display an ombudsman program information poster in a location visible to all clients, volunteers, and staff.
Updated Section 35A-16-208 to include data provided by the new ombudsman in annual reports and to specify quarterly goals for homelessness reduction projects.
TIMELINE
Established a sunset date of July 1, 2030, for the new Title 35A, Chapter 16, Part 8 (Homeless Services Provider Ombudsman).
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
43
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Mar 26, 2025
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Mar 7, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
legislature
Mar 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
House/ to standing committee
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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