HB 224 Utah House · 2025 General Session

Inmate Reentry, Finances, and Debt Modifications

HB 224 requires Utah county jails to notify state debt agencies when an inmate is incarcerated for 90+ consecutive days or upon release, enabling agencies to address existing debts. It suspends interest accrual on certain debts during incarceration (90+ days) and for 180 days after release, while expanding the Corrections Department’s role in providing inmates with debt information and financial literacy resources. The bill also modifies child support enforcement, suspending orders during incarceration and resuming them 90 days post-release. These provisions directly affect incarcerated individuals and state agencies managing debts, focusing on reducing financial barriers during reentry. The law takes effect in 2027 with delayed implementation for key requirements.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Signed Mar 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #2 → Enrolled · 2 edits · Mar 20, 2025

MINOR

This bill was finalized with minor formatting corrections to the title page and a slight adjustment to the timestamp at the end of the document. The substantive policy language regarding inmate debt notification, interest suspension, and child support rules remains identical to the previous version.

Scope change

No change in scope, applicability, or policy provisions.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a formatting error in the title block where the section number '81-6-211.5' was missing a space before the title text.

Updated the timestamp at the bottom of the document from March 6, 2025, to March 6, 2025, at a later time.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands requirements for notifying state agencies about inmate debts and suspends interest accrual on certain debts during incarceration. It also clarifies when child support obligations should be suspended during incarceration and expands the Department of Corrections' reentry duties to include financial information sharing. The changes aim to help inmates manage debt while incarcerated and prevent interest from accumulating during periods of confinement.

Scope change

The bill applies to county jails, state prisons, the Office of State Debt Collection, the Department of Corrections, and the Office of Recovery Services. It affects inmates incarcerated for 90+ consecutive days and their financial obligations.

REQUIREMENT

County jails must notify state agencies within five business days when an inmate is incarcerated for 90 consecutive days and upon release, unless already notified by another entity.

The Office of State Debt Collection must suspend interest accrual on accounts receivable during incarceration periods of 90+ days and for 180 days after release.

The Department of Corrections must provide inmates with regular information about their known debts, incentives for paying debts while incarcerated, and resources for financial literacy.

The Department of Corrections must notify state agencies within 15 days when an inmate enters or leaves state prison incarceration.

ELIGIBILITY

Child support orders and money judgments are now suspended by operation of law during incarceration of 90+ consecutive days, except when incarceration is for criminal non-payment of child support or offenses against the inmate's child or custodial parent.

TIMELINE

New requirements for county jail notifications and interest suspension begin January 1, 2027, with a delayed implementation date.

DEFINITION

Added definition of 'inmate' in child support context to mean an obligor placed in a carceral setting where they cannot earn wages from outside employment.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 20, 2025

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 6, 2025

Legislature · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

legislature

Mar 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

House/ to standing committee

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor