SB 27 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Assault or Threat of Violence Amendments

SB 27 amends Utah law to expand protections for peace officers and military service members against assault or threats of violence. It separates offenses into two distinct categories: one for peace officers (including off-duty officers and their families if the attack was due to their status) and another for military members (including off-duty members, those not in uniform, and their families under similar circumstances). The bill clarifies definitions, such as "family member" and "peace officer," and updates related code sections to reflect these changes. These amendments aim to strengthen legal safeguards for these groups without altering existing penalty structures.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Jan 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Mar 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Substitute #1 · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill separates the law into two distinct statutes: one for assaulting peace officers and another for assaulting military service members. It expands protections to include off-duty peace officers and family members of both officers and military personnel, provided the attack is motivated by their status. Additionally, the definition of 'military service member' is broadened to include those not in uniform and members of the National Guard or State Defense Force.
Scope change
The scope of protection was expanded from only uniformed military personnel to include all military service members regardless of uniform status, and now explicitly covers family members of both peace officers and military service members.
SCOPE

Split the single assault statute into two separate sections to clearly distinguish offenses against peace officers from offenses against military service members.

ELIGIBILITY

Added protection for family members of peace officers and military service members when the assault is motivated by their relationship to the protected individual.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'military service member' to include individuals not in uniform and added 'State Defense Force' to the list of protected groups.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the conditions for murder penalties to reflect the new separate statutes, ensuring the correct section is cited when a peace officer or military member is killed during an assault.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 20, 2026 · House Feb 5, 2026

How they voted

280
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 29
Jan 20, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
N Forward1
1 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican22
21 Yea 1
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
46
Key actions
8
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Mar 23, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (28-0-1)
senate
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors