Section 53B-8-117 - First Responder Mental Health Services Grant Program(1) As used in this section: (a) "First responder" means an individual who works in Utah as:(i) a law enforcement officer, as defined in Section 53-13-103;(ii) an emergency medical technician, as defined in Section 53-2e-101;(iii) an advanced emergency medical technician, as defined in Section 53-2e-101;(iv) a paramedic, as defined in Section 53-2e-101;(v) a firefighter, as defined in Section 34A-3-113;(vi) a dispatcher, as defined in Section 53-6-102;(vii) a correctional officer, as defined in Section 53-13-104;(viii) a special function officer, as defined in Section 53-13-105, employed by a local sheriff;(ix) a search and rescue worker under the supervision of a local sheriff;(x) a forensic interviewer or victim advocate employed by a children's justice center established in accordance with Section 67-5b-102;(xi) a credentialed criminal justice system victim advocate as defined in Section 77-38-403 who responds to incidents with a law enforcement officer;(xii) a crime scene investigator technician;(xiii) a wildland firefighter;(xiv) an investigator or prosecutor of cases involving sexual crimes against children; or(xv) a civilian employee of a first responder agency who has been authorized to view or otherwise access information concerning crimes, accidents, or other traumatic events.(b) "First responder agency" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53-21-101.(c) "First responder volunteer" means: (i) an individual who donates services as a first responder to a first responder agency located in Utah without pay or other compensation except:(A) expenses that the individual actually and reasonably incurs as the supervising first responder agency approves; and(B) health insurance that a participant in the Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Personnel Health Insurance Program described in Section 26-8a-603 receives; or(ii) a volunteer firefighter who is not regularly employed as a firefighter service employee, but who:(A) has received training in firefighter techniques and skills;(B) continues to receive regular firefighter training; and(C) is on the rolls of a legally organized volunteer fire department that provides ongoing training and serves a political subdivision of the state.(d) "Retiree" means the same as that term is defined in Section 49-11-102.(2) This section creates the First Responder Mental Health Services Grant Program.(3) Subject to legislative appropriations and Subsection (8), the board shall award a grant to an applicant who: (a) is a first responder, a first responder volunteer, or a retiree who worked as a first responder in the state; and(b) is seeking a post-secondary degree or certification to become a mental health therapist, as that term is defined in Section 58-60-102, from: (i) an institution of higher education within the state system of higher education, described in Section 53B-1-102; or(ii) a private, nonprofit institution of higher education in the state that is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.(4)(a) Subject to Subsection (4)(b), the board may award a qualified applicant a grant in an amount that is equal to the difference between: (i) the total cost of tuition and fees for the program in which the recipient is enrolled; and(ii) the total value of all other grants, tuition waivers, fee waivers, and scholarships that the recipient receives to attend the institution.(b) A grant award under Subsection (4)(a) is limited to:(i) a maximum of $6,000 each academic year; and(ii) a maximum of four academic years.(5) The board shall design the program to ensure that institutions combine loans, grants, employment, and family and individual contributions toward financing the cost of attendance.(6) The board shall: (a) select two periods during each calendar year to accept applications for the program; and(b) accept applications for no fewer than 30 days during each period described in Subsection (6)(a).(7)(a) The board shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to:(i) set deadlines for receiving grant applications and supporting documentation; and(ii) establish the application process and an appeal process for the First Responder Mental Health Services Grant Program.(b) The board shall include a disclosure on all applications and related materials that the amount of the awarded grants may be subject to funding or be reduced, in accordance with Subsection (8).(8)(a) Subject to future budget constraints, the Legislature shall make an annual appropriation from the Income Tax Fund to the board for the costs associated with the First Responder Mental Health Services Grant Program authorized under this section.(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, if the appropriation under this section is insufficient to cover the costs associated with the First Responder Mental Health Services Grant Program, the board may: (i) reduce the amount of a grant; or(ii) distribute grants on a pro rata basis to all eligible applicants who submitted a complete application before the application deadline.Amended by Chapter 39, 2024 General Session ,§ 1, eff. 5/1/2024.Added by Chapter 74, 2023 General Session ,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2023.