We took a moment on Friday to recognize the families of the 16 fallen servicemen from Utah this past year. It was a somber moment on the House floor. I hope we never forget that others sacrifice so much to protect the freedoms that we have.
Trauma-Informed Legislative Workgroup
H.B. 177 Trauma-Informed Justice Provisions, would enable and assist victims of crime. Under the current system, victims are often re-traumatized by their experiences with the criminal justice system.
The goal of this proposed legislation is to reduce the likelihood of re-victimization, leading to fewer accumulative adverse childhood experiences, less behavioral risk-taking, fewer negative health impacts and a reduction in state spending on healthcare. This increases the likelihood that victims will engage with the criminal justice system in the future and in turn, enables improved healing and coping skills by connecting victims with available resources.
H.B. 177 will establish a Multi-Disciplinary Trauma-Informed Committee tasked with creating a trauma-informed justice program. The committee will conduct a study of current and
recommended trauma-informed policies, procedures, programs and practices in Utah’s criminal and juvenile justice system including:
the role of victim advocates and victim services;
the implementation of a comprehensive, seamless victim-advocate system that:
is based on the best interests of victims,
assists victims throughout the criminal and juvenile justice system, and
assists with the process of recovery from trauma experienced as a victim of crime.
Education
State dollars dedicated to education have grown at historic levels, since 2015. Education clearly is and has been a priority for the Utah State Legislature, so much so that in the past three years, K-12 funding has increased by more than $800 million – nearly 20 percent. In addition, the past two years, education spending accounted for the most significant portion of new money appropriated by the Utah Legislature.
This year is no exception; we will continue to prioritize education funding and aspire to do it without increasing the taxes of hard-working Utahns.
HB299 aims to dedicate approximately $700 million to public schools over the next three to four years, and do it in a way that directly and positively impacts teacher pay. This legislation would also prioritize funding for improved teacher training, metrics to ensure children meet reading standards by third grade and technology in the classroom.
Opioids
On average 24-25 Utahns die each month from opioid overdoses. The Utah Legislature is considering a resolution that calls upon the Attorney General to take immediate legal action against prescription opioid manufacturers. Serious allegations have been raised regarding deceptive marketing practices used by manufacturers and distributors.
Utah ranked 4th in the nation for drug overdose deaths, an average of six per week in 2014. These horrid statistics are more than just numbers; they represent the loss of human lives.
Measures are being taken in Utah to help combat the crisis, but we need to work to change the practices of companies that threaten the safety of our residents for their own financial gain. Sixteen states, dozens of local jurisdictions and Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Washington and Weber counties have already filed separate lawsuits against prescription opioid manufacturers to seek damages for the public costs of the opioid crisis.
Joining a multistate lawsuit with a myriad of other states does not allow us to adequately represent the needs and losses of Utah victims, and won’t necessarily lead to a change in business practices by these companies. HJR 12, Joint Resolution Calling Upon the Attorney General to Sue Prescription Opioid Manufacturers, calls upon the Attorney General’s Office to file a separate lawsuit against those companies whose practices and products have harmed Utahns. The goal is to change prescribing practices and put a stop to the rising rate of overdose deaths, maximize monetary gain to help reimburse the state for expenses associated with opioid abuse and hold accountable those whose actions created this destruction.
