A House committee on Monday unanimously endorsed a bill that would give state regulators more leeway to crack down on unsafe group homes and other live-in programs for troubled teens. Already approved by the Senate, the bill now heads to the House floor, where it is expected to also pass. Most of the limited resistance to the bill comes from lawmakers who think it doesn't go far enough to protect group home employees and communities from teens with criminal histories and who are prone to violent behavior. Panguitch Republican Sen. Tom Hatch acknowledged the bill "walks a fine line between balancing the need for protecting the public and being over-regulatory." The protections in Senate Bill 107 are limited to employee training requirements and basic health and safety standards. Hatch said he had to tread softly so as not to violate federal laws designed to ensure that states provide adequate housing and rehabilitative treatment to the disabled. Human Services licensing Director Ken Stettler says the measure gives his office authority to craft more detailed and industry-appropriate rules to promote best practices. - Kirsten Stewart