Utah Code 35A-16-702. Code blue alert — Content — Dissemination

35A-16-702. Code blue alert — Content — Dissemination — Rulemaking.

(1)

The Department of Health and Human Services shall:

Affected county: means a county of the first, second, third, or fourth class in which a code blue event is anticipated. See Utah Code 35A-16-701
Code blue alert: means a proclamation issued by the Department of Health and Human Services under Section 35A-16-702 to alert the public of a code blue event. See Utah Code 35A-16-701
Code blue event: means a weather event in which the National Weather Service predicts temperatures of 15 degrees Fahrenheit or less, including wind chill, or any other extreme weather conditions established in rules made by the Department of Health and Human Services under Subsection 35A-16-702(4), to occur in any county of the first, second, third, or fourth class for two hours or longer within the next 24 to 48 hours. See Utah Code 35A-16-701
Department: means the Department of Workforce Services created in Section 35A-1-103. See Utah Code 35A-1-102
Municipality: means a city, town, or metro township. See Utah Code 35A-16-701
Office: means the Office of Homeless Services. See Utah Code 35A-16-102

(a)	monitor and evaluate forecasts and advisories produced by the National Weather Service;

(b)	issue a code blue alert under this section if the Department of Health and Human Services identifies a code blue event; and

(c)

disseminate the code blue alert to:

(i)	the public at large;

(ii)	homeless shelters located within an affected county;

(iii)

local government entities located within an affected county;

(iv)	the office; and

(v)	any other relevant public or private entities that provide services to individuals experiencing homelessness within an affected county.

(2)

The code blue alert shall:

(a)	identify each affected county;

(b)	specify the duration of the code blue alert;

(c)	describe the provisions that take effect for the duration of the code blue alert as described in Section 35A-16-703; and

(d)	include the information prepared by the office under Subsection (3).

(3)

(a)

The office shall prepare and regularly update information to assist individuals experiencing homelessness during a code blue event, including:

(i)	the location and availability of homeless shelters and other community resources and services for individuals experiencing homelessness;

(ii)	information regarding public safety and emergency services; and

(iii)

any other information considered relevant by the office.

(b)	The office shall submit to the Department of Health and Human Services the information prepared and updated under Subsection (3)(a).

(4)

(a)	In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the office, shall make rules to implement this section.

(b)

The rules under Subsection (4)(a) shall:

(i)	establish any extreme weather conditions that warrant the issuance of a code blue alert; and

(ii)

establish standards for:

(A)	monitoring and evaluating National Weather Service forecasts and advisories to identify code blue events;

(B)	issuing code blue alerts under this section, including the form, content, and dissemination of code blue alerts;

(C)	the provisions that take effect within an affected county for the duration of a code blue alert, as provided in Section 35A-16-703; and

(D)	coordinating with the office to receive the information described in Subsection (3).

(5)	Nothing in this section prohibits a municipality from issuing a safety alert based on other environmental conditions that present a substantial threat to the health or safety of individuals experiencing homelessness.

Enacted by Chapter 302, 2023 General Session

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