SB 194 Utah Senate · 2025 General Session

Defendant Access to Evidence Amendments

SB 194 requires Utah county sheriffs to provide jailed defendants awaiting trial or sentencing with a private space and means to review their case evidence with their attorney. This includes access to digital evidence like videos or audio recordings, using jail-provided technology or approved devices from their lawyer. The bill also mandates that defense attorneys must not leave sensitive materials - such as child images, personal data, or financial records - with defendants in jail. It directly affects all criminal defendants held in Utah county jails during pretrial or sentencing phases.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 30, 2025 Signed Mar 26, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #1 Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 26, 2025
MINOR
The bill text was updated with minor formatting corrections, such as removing duplicate words and fixing spacing errors, while adding a specific effective date of May 7, 2025, and a timestamp indicating the final version.
Scope change
No substantive change to the bill's scope, applicability, or policy requirements; the core duties of the sheriff regarding evidence access remain identical.
TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting errors in the text, including removing redundant words like 'the sheriff's' and 'inmates' that appeared twice in the same line, and fixing spacing issues around the word 'his'.

Updated the document header timestamp from February 24, 2025, to March 12, 2025, reflecting the final enrolled version.

TIMELINE

Added Section 2 to specify that the bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
38
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Mar 26, 2025
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Mar 7, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
legislature
Mar 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
House/ to standing committee
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors