Cohabitant Definition Amendments

HB 135 clarifies the legal definition of "cohabitant" in Utah's domestic violence and battered person mitigation laws. It specifically expands the definition to include minors when a parent, stepparent, or cohabiting adult commits abuse against them, and also includes parents/stepparents when a minor commits an offense against them. These changes ensure that the battered person mitigation defense - allowing reduced charges for individuals who acted in response to abuse - applies correctly to cases involving minors and their caregivers. The bill makes technical adjustments to existing statutes without creating new programs or costs.