§ 80-2-503 — Division contracts for prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect -- Requirements -- Public hearing -- Funding provided by contractor.

(1) (1)(a) The Legislature finds that there is a need to assist private and public agencies in identifying and establishing community-based education, service, and treatment programs to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of abuse and neglect.
(1)(b) It is the purpose of this section to provide a means to increase prevention and treatment programs designed to reduce the occurrence or recurrence of child abuse and neglect.
(2) The division shall contract with public or private nonprofit organizations, agencies, or schools, or with qualified individuals to establish voluntary community-based educational and service programs designed to reduce or prevent the occurrence or recurrence of abuse and neglect.
(3) (3)(a) A program that the division contracts with under this section shall provide voluntary primary abuse and neglect prevention, and voluntary or court-ordered treatment services.
(3)(b) A program described in Subsection (3)(a) includes:
(3)(b)(i) a program related to prenatal care, perinatal bonding, child growth and development, basic child care, care of children with special needs, and coping with family stress;
(3)(b)(ii) a program related to crisis care, aid to parents, abuse counseling, support groups for abusive or potentially abusive parents and abusive parents' children, and early identification of families where the potential for abuse and neglect exists;
(3)(b)(iii) a program clearly designed to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or medical or educational neglect;
(3)(b)(iv) a program that the division and council consider potentially effective in reducing the incidence of family problems leading to abuse or neglect; and
(3)(b)(v) a program designed to establish and assist community resources that prevent abuse and neglect.
(4) The division shall:

(4)(a) consult with appropriate state agencies, commissions, and boards to help determine the probable effectiveness, fiscal soundness, and need for proposed education and service programs for the prevention and treatment of abuse and neglect;
(4)(b) develop policies to determine whether a program will be discontinued or receive continuous funding;
(4)(c) facilitate the exchange of information between and among groups concerned with families and children;
(4)(d) establish flexible fees and fee schedules based on the recipient's ability to pay for part or all of the costs of service received;
(4)(e) before awarding a contract for an abuse or neglect prevention or treatment program or service:
(4)(e)(i) conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the program or service and ensure the council conducted a public hearing on the program or service in accordance with Subsection (6);
(4)(e)(ii) if the program or service is intended for presentation in public schools, receive evidence that the program or service is approved by the local board of education of each school district that will be utilizing the program or service, or under the direction of the local board of education, the state superintendent; and
(4)(e)(iii) consider need, diversity of geographic locations, the program's or services' coordination with or enhancement of existing services, and the program's or services' extensive use of volunteers;
(4)(f) award a contract under this section for services to prevent abuse and neglect on the basis of probability of success, based in part on sound research data; and
(4)(g) adopt rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, as necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(5) The division may:

(5)(a) require that 25% of the funding for a program contracted for under this section be provided by the contractor operating the program; and
(5)(b) consider a contribution of materials, supplies, or physical facilities as all or part of the funding provided by the contractor under Subsection (5)(a).
(6) The council shall conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the program or service before the division may enter into a contract under this section.
(7) A contract entered into under this section shall contain a provision for the evaluation of services provided under the contract.
(8) Contract funds awarded under this section for the treatment of victims of abuse or neglect are not a collateral source as defined in Section 63M-7-502.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 139, 2023 General Session