SB 313 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Recidivism Amendments

SB 313 amends Utah's Adult Probation and Parole Employment Incentive Program to tie funding to measurable outcomes. It defines key terms like "parole employment rate" and "recidivism percentage," then requires regional probation/parole offices to report annual employment rates and reoffending data. Regions earn funding by showing improved employment rates for people on parole/probation compared to baselines, calculated by multiplying the rate difference by the region's average daily population and $2,500. However, funding is reduced to zero if recidivism increases compared to the previous year, directly affecting how probation/parole departments allocate resources to support employment programs.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 20, 2026 Signed Mar 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MODERATE

This bill establishes an 'Adult Probation and Parole Employment Incentive Program' that rewards regions based on employment success and reduced recidivism. Starting in July 2026, the state will calculate incentives using a dual formula: one based on the improvement in employment rates compared to a baseline, and another based on the number of individuals who held jobs for six months before their supervision ended. Crucially, regions will receive no payment if their recidivism rates increase compared to the previous year. The funds, drawn from a new restricted account, must be used to expand evidence-based rehabilitation services, hire staff, or purchase technology, with only 15% allowed for administrative expenses.

Scope change

The bill creates a new program specifically for adult probation and parole regions, introducing a performance-based funding model tied to employment outcomes and recidivism metrics.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new program requiring the department to calculate and report specific employment and recidivism metrics annually starting July 2026.

Mandated that 85% of incentive payments be used for specific rehabilitative services like job training, mental health treatment, and evidence-based practices, while limiting administrative use to 15%.

FISCAL

Established a new 'Employment Incentive Restricted Account' funded by legislative appropriations to pay regions based on performance.

ELIGIBILITY

Defined eligibility for incentive payments based on positive changes in employment rates and a decrease in recidivism percentages compared to the prior fiscal year.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the bill to May 6, 2026, with program calculations beginning in July 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House Mar 7, 2026

How they voted

28–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 29

Mar 3, 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

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

upper

Mar 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

upper

Mar 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor