Utah § 17-77-201 - Local substance abuse authorities -- Responsibilities.

Full text of Utah Utah Code § 17-77-201 — Local substance abuse authorities -- Responsibilities., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 17-77-201. Local substance abuse authorities -- Responsibilities.

Effective 11/6/2025
17-77-201.  Local substance abuse authorities -- Responsibilities.
(1)
(a)
(i)In each county other than a county described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii) or (iii), the county legislative body is the local substance abuse authority.
(ii)In each county operating under a county executive-council form of government under Section 17-62-203, the county legislative body is the local substance abuse authority, except that the county executive administers any contract for plan services.
(iii)In each county operating under a council-manager form of government under Section 17-62-204, the county manager is the local substance abuse authority.
(b)Within legislative appropriations and county matching funds required by this section, and under the direction of the division, each local substance abuse authority shall:
(i)develop substance use prevention and treatment services plans;
(ii)provide substance use services to residents of the county; and
(iii)cooperate with the division's efforts to promote integrated programs that address an individual's substance use, mental health, and physical healthcare needs, as described in Section 26B-5-102.
(c)Within legislative appropriations and county matching funds required by this section, each local substance abuse authority shall cooperate with the department's efforts to promote a system of care, as defined in Section 26B-5-101, for minors with or at risk for complex emotional and behavioral needs, as described in Section 26B-5-101.
(2)
(a)By executing an interlocal agreement under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act, two or more counties may join to:
(i)provide substance use prevention and treatment services; or
(ii)create a united local health department that provides substance use treatment services, mental health services, and local health department services in accordance with Subsection (3).
(b)The legislative bodies of counties joining to provide services may establish ways of apportioning the cost of substance use services.
(c)Each agreement for joint substance use services shall:
(i)
(A)designate the county treasurer of one of the participating counties, or another individual as the treasurer, for the combined substance abuse authorities and as the custodian of money available for the joint services; and
(B)provide that the designated treasurer, or other disbursing officer authorized by the treasurer, may make payments from the money for the joint services upon audit of the appropriate auditing officer or officers representing the participating counties;
(ii)provide for the appointment of an independent auditor or a county auditor of one of the participating counties as the designated auditing officer for the combined substance abuse authorities;
(iii)
(A)provide for the appointment of the county attorney or district attorney of one of the participating counties as the designated legal officer for the combined substance abuse authorities; and
(B)authorize the legal officer designated under Subsection (2)(c)(iii)(A) to request and receive the assistance of the county or district attorneys of the other participating counties in defending or prosecuting actions within their counties relating to the combined substance abuse authorities; and
(iv)provide for the adoption of management, clinical, financial, procurement, personnel, and administrative policies as already established by one of the participating counties or as approved by the legislative body of each participating county or interlocal board.
(d)An agreement for joint substance use services may provide for:
(i)joint operation of services and facilities; or
(ii)operation of services and facilities under contract by one participating local substance abuse authority for other participating local substance abuse authorities.
(3)
(a)A county governing body may elect to combine the local substance abuse authority with:
(i)the local mental health authority created in Part 3, Local Mental Health Authorities; or
(ii)the local health department created in Title 26A, Chapter 1, Part 1, Local Health Department Act.
(b)A local substance abuse authority that joins a united local health department shall comply with this part.
(4)
(a)Each local substance abuse authority is accountable to the department and the state with regard to the use of state and federal funds received from the department for substance use services, regardless of whether the services are provided by a private contract provider.
(b)
(i)Each local substance abuse authority shall comply, and require compliance by the local substance abuse authority's contract provider, with all directives issued by the department regarding the use and expenditure of state and federal funds received from the department for the purpose of providing substance use programs and services.
(ii)The department shall:
(A)ensure that directives issued by the department described in Subsection (4)(b)(i) are not duplicative or conflicting; and
(B)consult and coordinate with local substance abuse authorities with regard to programs and services.
(5)Each local substance abuse authority shall:
(a)review and evaluate substance use prevention and treatment needs and services, including substance use needs and services for an individual incarcerated in a county jail or other county correctional facility;
(b)annually prepare and submit to the division a plan approved by the county legislative body for funding and service delivery that includes:
(i)provisions for services, either directly by the substance abuse authority or by contract, for adults, youth, and children, including those incarcerated in a county jail or other county correctional facility;
(ii)primary prevention, targeted prevention, early intervention, and treatment services; and
(iii)in a form and format usable by a first responder, an inclusive list of providers of substance use services available for individuals within the local substance abuse authority's jurisdiction;
(c)establish and maintain, either directly or by contract, programs licensed under Title 26B, Chapter 2, Part 1, Human Services Programs and Facilities;
(d)appoint directly or by contract a full or part time director for substance use programs, and prescribe the director's duties;
(e)provide input and comment on new and revised rules established by the division;
(f)establish and require contract providers to establish administrative, clinical, procurement, personnel, financial, and management policies regarding substance use services and facilities, in accordance with the rules of the division, and state and federal law;
(g)establish mechanisms allowing for direct citizen input;
(h)annually contract with the division to provide substance use programs and services in accordance with the provisions of Title 26B, Chapter 5, Health Care - Substance Use and Mental Health;
(i)comply with all applicable state and federal:
(i)statutes;
(ii)policies;
(iii)audit requirements;
(iv)contract requirements; and
(v)any directives resulting from those audits and contract requirements;
(j)promote or establish programs for the prevention of substance use within the community setting through community-based prevention programs;
(k)provide funding equal to at least 20% of the state funds that it receives to fund services described in the plan;
(l)comply with the requirements and procedures of:
(i)Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act;
(ii)Title 17B, Chapter 1, Part 6, Fiscal Procedures for Special Districts; and
(iii)Title 51, Chapter 2a, Accounting Reports from Political Subdivisions, Interlocal Organizations, and Other Local Entities Act;
(m)for persons convicted of driving under the influence in violation of Section 41-6a-502 or 41-6a-517, conduct the following as defined in Section 41-6a-501:
(i)a screening;
(ii)an assessment;
(iii)an educational series; and
(iv)substance abuse treatment; and
(n)utilize proceeds of the accounts described in Subsection 26B-5-209(1) to supplement the cost of providing the services described in Subsection (5)(m).
(6)Before disbursing any public funds, each local substance abuse authority shall require that each entity that receives any public funds from the local substance abuse authority agrees in writing that:
(a)the entity's financial records and other records relevant to the entity's performance of the services provided to the local substance abuse authority shall be subject to examination by:
(i)the division;
(ii)the local substance abuse authority director;
(iii)
(A)the county treasurer and county attorney or district attorney; or
(B)if two or more counties jointly provide substance use services under an agreement under Subsection (2), the designated treasurer and the designated legal officer;
(iv)the county legislative body; and
(v)in a county with a county executive that is separate from the county legislative body, the county executive;
(b)the county auditor may examine and audit the entity's financial and other records relevant to the entity's performance of the services provided to the local substance abuse authority; and
(c)the entity will comply with the provisions of Subsection (4)(b).
(7)
(a)A local substance abuse authority may receive for substance abuse services:
(i)property;
(ii)grants;
(iii)gifts;
(iv)supplies;
(v)materials;
(vi)contributions; and
(vii)any benefit derived from the items described in Subsections (7)(a)(i) through (vi).
(b)If an item described in Subsections (7)(a)(i) through (vi) are conditioned upon the item's use for a specified service or program, the item shall be so used.
(8)Public funds received for the provision of services in accordance with the local substance abuse plan may not be used for any other purpose except those authorized in the contract between the local substance abuse authority and the provider for the provision of plan services.
(9)Subject to the requirements of the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, Pub. L. No. 102-321, a local substance abuse authority shall ensure that all substance use treatment programs that receive public funds:
(a)accept and provide priority for admission to a pregnant woman or a pregnant minor; and
(b)if admission of a pregnant woman or a pregnant minor is not possible within 24 hours of the time that a request for admission is made, provide a comprehensive referral for interim services that:
(i)are accessible to the pregnant woman or pregnant minor;
(ii)are best suited to provide services to the pregnant woman or pregnant minor;
(iii)may include:
(A)counseling;
(B)case management; or
(C)a support group; and
(iv)shall include a referral for:
(A)prenatal care; and
(B)counseling on the effects of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy.
(10)If a substance use treatment program described in Subsection (9) is not able to accept and admit a pregnant woman or pregnant minor under Subsection (9) within 48 hours of the time that request for admission is made, the local substance abuse authority shall contact the Division of Integrated Healthcare for assistance in providing services to the pregnant woman or pregnant minor.


Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 14, 2025 Special Session 1

Source: official Utah text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Section 17-77-201 ("Local substance abuse authorities -- Responsibilities.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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