Utah Behavioral Health Commission

To fulfill the Commission's purpose, the Commission shall:

1. establish a shared vision across public and private sectors for improving Utah's behavioral health systems;
2. make recommendations, including policy recommendations, and advise the governor, executive branch agencies, and the Legislature on matters pertaining to behavioral health;
3. provide feedback on proposed bills, rules, policies, and budgets relating to behavioral health;
4. encourage participation in the Commission's work by individuals and populations directly impacted by behavioral health issues, including family members of individuals with behavioral health issues;
5. engage private sector payers, providers, and business and employer groups in the commission's work;
6. continually review and revise the Master Plan as appropriate;
7. identify priorities and lead efforts to implement and advance those priorities by coordinating and collaborating closely with public and private persons throughout the state;
8. identify areas where innovation is necessary to improve behavioral health access and care;
9. cooperate with the Utah System of Higher Education, the State Board of Education, the Division of Professional Licensing, the Utah Health Workforce Advisory Council, and the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee the creation and implementation of behavioral health workforce initiatives for the state;
10. collaborate with the Utah State Hospital, the Department of Corrections, county jails, and the Department of Health and Human Services;
11. oversee coordination for the funding, implementation, and evaluation of suicide prevention efforts described in Section 26B-5-611;
12. develop methods or models for implementing and coherently communicating cross-sector strategies;
13. hold the state's behavioral health systems accountable for clear, measurable outcomes; and
14. maintain independence from the Department of Health and Human Services and the governor such that the Commission and its committees are able to provide independent advice and recommendations, especially regarding proposed bills and policy considerations.