Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 86: Firearm Safe Harbor Amendments

SB 86 creates a temporary firearm safekeeping program allowing cohabitants or owners to voluntarily give firearms to law enforcement if they believe someone in the home poses an immediate threat (e.g., domestic violence situations). Law enforcement must hold firearms for 60 days (extendable by request) and return them to the owner unless the owner is a restricted person or subject to a domestic violence court order. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to anonymously report aggregate usage data (e.g., number of requests, firearms held) to the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice annually, starting July 1, 2026, with data collection sunsetting in 2028. This affects individuals seeking temporary firearm storage for safety during crises, without changing existing firearm ownership laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates firearm safekeeping program for domestic violence prevention, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce violence and enhance public safety.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 183: Surveillance Camera Amendments

SB 183 prohibits law enforcement officers or their agents from tampering with, repositioning, or disabling privately or commercially owned surveillance cameras without specific authorization. The law allows exceptions when the camera owner consents, a court issues a warrant beforehand, or during urgent emergencies - requiring officers to notify owners within 24 hours or obtain a court order as soon as possible after the emergency ends. This directly affects camera owners (including businesses and residents) and law enforcement agencies operating in Utah. The bill creates two new Utah Code sections (53-25-1201 and 53-25-1202) and excludes trail cameras from its provisions. It takes effect on May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects privacy rights by requiring warrants for law enforcement to interfere with private cameras, enhancing police accountability and aligning with civil rights in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized law enforcement interference with surveillance cameras, requiring warrants/consent to protect data privacy and digital rights as per technology policy indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 27: 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly expands legal protections for peace officers and military members, strengthening law enforcement safety and authority within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly expands legal protections for military service members (including veterans) against assault/threats, creating dedicated offense categories for their safety under 'Veterans and Military Affairs' subject.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 30: Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments

SB 30 updates Utah's laws against human trafficking and smuggling by redefining key terms and strengthening criminal penalties. It creates new offenses targeting individuals who "patronize" victims of labor trafficking, child trafficking, or trafficking involving vulnerable adults, while removing certain legal defenses for traffickers. The bill also splits aggravated trafficking into separate labor and sexual exploitation offenses and incorporates updated definitions into relevant statutes. These changes directly affect victims of trafficking (by expanding protections) and individuals who exploit or profit from trafficking (by increasing criminal liability). The law makes no changes to funding or administrative procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal penalties for trafficking, creates new offenses against 'patronizers', and removes defenses for traffickers, directly advancing criminal justice enforcement against human trafficking.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 547: Transnational Repression Amendments

HB 547 defines "transnational repression" as foreign government or terrorist organization actions targeting individuals in Utah (like threats, surveillance, or immigration coercion) to control their behavior. It requires Utah's public universities to inform international students about this repression and how to report it to law enforcement. The bill also adds criminal penalties for crimes committed under foreign government direction to influence a victim's actions. This directly affects international students and victims of foreign-directed crimes, creating new reporting mechanisms and legal consequences for specific offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds criminal penalties for foreign-directed crimes targeting Utah residents, enhancing law enforcement's ability to address transnational repression and protect victims, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 218: Constable Modifications

SB 218 requires all constables contracted by Utah cities or counties to hold a state-issued license starting January 1, 2027. It creates a Constables Licensing Board to set qualifications, handle disciplinary actions, and manage applications for constable, deputy constable, and apprentice constable licenses. The bill modifies how local governments contract with constables, including new selection processes and mandatory contract terms like insurance requirements and a four-year maximum term. State law now overrides local regulations regarding constable licensing and operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates licensing board with disciplinary authority for constables, strengthening oversight and standardization in local law enforcement - aligns with accountability indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 205: Substance Use Intervention Amendments

HB 205 creates new pathways for substance use treatment within Utah's criminal justice system. It allows county jails to establish recovery housing pods for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders, requiring approval by local substance abuse authorities and structured treatment programs. The bill also restricts syringe exchange programs to only distributing syringes (not other drug paraphernalia) and prohibits exchanges in public parks. Additionally, it authorizes courts to implement structured treatment programs for drug offenses and issue geographic "off-limits" orders for individuals charged with drug crimes. These changes primarily affect jails, local health authorities, and courts managing drug-related cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates recovery housing pods and treatment programs within jails to address substance use disorders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates treatment pathways in jails, requires structured programs, aligns with healthcare services for substance use disorders92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HR 8: Resolution Admonishing and Censuring Judge Don M. Torgerson

This bill is a resolution from the Utah House of Representatives that formally censures Judge Don M. Torgerson for comments made during a sentencing hearing involving child sexual exploitation. The resolution condemns the judge for minimizing the severity of the crimes and suggesting that a defendant's socioeconomic privilege could justify a lighter sentence. It also expresses disappointment that the Utah State Courts issued inaccurate information defending the judge's conduct. The measure does not change laws or allocate funds but serves as an official statement of disapproval from the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill holds judge accountable for minimizing crimes and suggesting privilege justifies lighter sentences, promoting judicial integrity and fair sentencing in criminal justice.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HJR 26: Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Evidence to Address Machine-Generated Evidence

HJR 26 amends Utah's Rules of Evidence to establish new standards for admitting evidence generated by automated systems (like AI or algorithms) that make inferences or predictions. It requires such evidence to meet four criteria for admissibility: it must help the court understand the case, be based on sufficient facts, use reliable methods, and apply those methods correctly to the facts. This rule specifically excludes basic measuring devices (like speedometers or thermometers) from these requirements. The bill affects Utah courts and legal proceedings involving machine-generated evidence, ensuring such evidence meets reliability standards before being used in trials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes reliability standards for AI evidence to prevent misuse in court, protecting defendant rights and ensuring fair trials within criminal justice system.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HJR 28: Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules Related to Capital Felony Cases

HJR 28 amends Utah court rules to create a new procedure for remanding non-capital felony appeals (cases without a death sentence) to trial courts. It allows defendants to request the appellate court send their case back for factual findings about claims of ineffective legal counsel, requiring specific evidence and limiting the process to 90 days. The bill explicitly excludes capital felony cases (with death sentences) from this remand process. This affects defendants in non-capital felony appeals challenging their attorneys' performance, providing a structured way to address incomplete records without changing the death penalty process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows defendants to seek factual findings on ineffective counsel claims in non-capital appeals, enhancing due process protections within criminal procedure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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