1. (1)

   1. (a) The division shall, within funds appropriated by the Legislature for this purpose, implement and manage the operation of a housing assistance program in consultation with the Utah State Hospital, established in Section 26B-5-302, and one or more housing authorities, associations of governments, or nonprofit entities.

   2. (b) The housing assistance program shall provide the housing assistance described in Subsection (1)(c) to individuals:

      1. (i) who are discharged from the Utah State Hospital; and
      2. (ii) who the division determines would benefit from assertive community treatment.

   3. (c) The housing assistance provided under the housing assistance program may include:

      1. (i) subsidizing rent payments for housing;
      2. (ii) subsidizing the provision of temporary or transitional housing; or
      3. (iii) providing money for one-time housing barrier assistance, including rental housing application fees, utility hookup fees, or rental housing security deposits.
2. (2) The division shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to establish procedures for the operation of the housing assistance program described in Subsection (1).

3. (3) The division shall report to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee each year before November 30 regarding:

   1. (a) the entities the division consulted with under Subsection (1)(a);
   2. (b) the number of individuals who are benefitting from the housing assistance program described in Subsection (1);
   3. (c) the type of housing assistance provided under the housing assistance program described in Subsection (1);
   4. (d) the average monthly dollar amount provided to individuals under the housing assistance program described in Subsection (1); and
   5. (e) recommendations regarding improvements or changes to the housing assistance program described in Subsection (1).

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 308, 2023 General Session