This bill addresses continuity of mental health treatment and services for children in, and leaving, the custody of the Division of Child and Family Services.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Foster children's mental health care would gain new continuity protections in both directions under this bill. When a child enters custody of the Division of Child and Family Services, the division would be required to check whether the child already has a mental health therapist and take steps to keep that relationship going, such as contacting the therapist and helping them enroll as a Medicaid provider so care can continue at a rate no higher than the Medicaid rate. When a child leaves the division's custody, the division would need to help connect the family back to that same therapist, coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services on Medicaid coverage, and work with local mental health authorities to keep services in place; separately, health insurers would be required to offer a "single case agreement" allowing the child to keep seeing that same therapist even if the therapist is outside the insurer's network, as long as the request is made within 90 days of leaving custody, the therapist agrees, and the child provides documentation of the prior treatment relationship. These continuity requirements would not apply to children who received care through residential treatment, day treatment, or partial hospitalization programs, and both the insurance commissioner and the division would be authorized to create administrative rules to carry out these requirements.
Current version: HB0590S01 (Substitute)
Introduction
Feb 20
House Rules
House Committee
Feb 27
House Floor Vote
Mar 3
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Mar 4
Senate 2nd Reading
Mar 4
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 4
House Concurrence
Mar 5
Governor Signed
Mar 19
IntroductionFeb 20
House Rules
House CommitteeFeb 27
House Floor VoteMar 3
Senate RulesMar 4
Senate CommitteeMar 4
Senate 2nd ReadingMar 4
Senate 3rd ReadingMar 4
House ConcurrenceMar 5
Governor SignedMar 19
This bill addresses continuity of mental health treatment and services for children in, and leaving, the custody of the Division of Child and Family Services.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Foster children's mental health care would gain new continuity protections in both directions under this bill. When a child enters custody of the Division of Child and Family Services, the division would be required to check whether the child already has a mental health therapist and take steps to keep that relationship going, such as contacting the therapist and helping them enroll as a Medicaid provider so care can continue at a rate no higher than the Medicaid rate. When a child leaves the division's custody, the division would need to help connect the family back to that same therapist, coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services on Medicaid coverage, and work with local mental health authorities to keep services in place; separately, health insurers would be required to offer a "single case agreement" allowing the child to keep seeing that same therapist even if the therapist is outside the insurer's network, as long as the request is made within 90 days of leaving custody, the therapist agrees, and the child provides documentation of the prior treatment relationship. These continuity requirements would not apply to children who received care through residential treatment, day treatment, or partial hospitalization programs, and both the insurance commissioner and the division would be authorized to create administrative rules to carry out these requirements.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
House/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Clerk of the House
House/ enrolled bill to Printing
Clerk of the House
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Clerk of the House
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM