Criminal Justice

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 138: Child Abuse Homicide Amendments

HB 138 clarifies that a person can be charged with child abuse homicide if a child dies by suicide directly caused by the abuse or torture. The bill amends Utah Code Section 76-5-208 to explicitly include suicide as a possible outcome under the child abuse homicide statute when abuse is the direct or immediate cause. It also corrects a technical error in the penalty structure for these offenses and adds a coordination clause for potential overlap with another bill (S.B. 32). This change affects how prosecutors charge individuals whose abuse leads to a child's suicide, making it a criminal offense under the specified felony classifications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands criminal liability for child abuse causing suicide death, strengthening accountability under homicide statute95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 345: Victim Amendments

HB 345 modifies Utah's victim reparations law to expand access for specific victims. It specifically allows mental health counseling as part of reparations for individuals who experienced sexual assault while incarcerated in a prison, jail, or correctional facility. The bill also updates the legal definition of "criminally injurious conduct" and makes technical changes to existing code sections (63M-7-502, 63M-7-509, and 63M-7-510). These changes directly affect incarcerated sexual assault victims seeking reparations for psychological harm. The bill does not appropriate new funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim reparations to include mental health counseling for incarcerated sexual assault survivors, strengthening support within correctional facilities and aligning with criminal justice reform priorities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health counseling access for incarcerated sexual assault victims under reparations, directly supporting mental health services as a healthcare component.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 295: Overdose Amendments

HB 295, the "Overdose Amendments," updates Utah's criminal code to better address overdose situations. It expands the affirmative defense for reporting overdoses to include both the person experiencing the overdose and anyone who stays with them during the event. The bill also creates a new option for courts to dismiss first-time drug offenses if the individual commits to substance abuse treatment, and clarifies that reporting an overdose can be used as a sentencing mitigating factor for both parties involved. These changes aim to reduce criminal penalties for overdose-related incidents while encouraging treatment engagement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands overdose reporting defense, allows treatment diversion for first-time drug offenses, reducing criminal penalties and promoting rehabilitation per bill's sentencing mitigating factor and dismissal provisions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables court dismissal for first-time drug offenses when committing to substance abuse treatment, directly expanding healthcare access for substance use disorders.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 39: Prison and Jail Standards Amendments

HB 39 requires county sheriffs and Utah's Department of Corrections to implement independent oversight systems for all county jails and state correctional facilities. Specifically, it mandates that every county jail under a sheriff's jurisdiction must operate under independently administered standards and undergo regular independent inspections, with the same requirement applying to state facilities managed by the Department of Corrections. These provisions apply directly to county sheriffs, jail operators, and the Department of Corrections, adding new inspection requirements on top of existing standards. The bill makes technical updates to Utah law without appropriating new funds or creating new programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates independent oversight and inspections for correctional facilities, strengthening accountability and standards per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 70: Correctional Health Services Amendments

HB 70 requires Utah's Department of Health and Human Services to implement a new electronic health record system for inmate care by 2026, based on a working group's recommendations. It makes funds for unexpected high-cost correctional health care non-lapsing (meaning they won't expire if unused), and mandates a treatment plan for all inmates with substance use disorders, including medication-based treatment. The bill also sets accreditation standards for correctional health facilities and allows parole boards to consider health examiner reports when deciding parole conditions. These changes directly affect inmates in Utah's correctional facilities, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Corrections.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates substance use treatment plans and accreditation standards for correctional health, advancing rehabilitation and facility standards within criminal justice reform.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates substance use treatment plans, ensures non-lapsing funds for care, and sets accreditation standards for correctional health facilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 49: Law Enforcement Salary Amendments

HB 49 requires the salary ranges and pay progression for law enforcement officers in Utah's Division of Natural Resources (DNR) to match those of peace officers in the Department of Public Safety, with similar experience and qualifications. This directly affects DNR law enforcement officers, ensuring their compensation aligns with comparable state law enforcement roles. The bill includes an exception allowing DNR leadership (majors and division directors) to have lower salary ranges than other division directors within the department. It makes technical updates to Utah Code Section 63A-17-110 and takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAligns law enforcement salaries with comparable roles, supporting officer retention and effectiveness within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAligns DNR law enforcement salaries with comparable peace officers, ensuring fair compensation for state workers in this role per bill's explicit wage-matching requirement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · Utah · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 11: Dyed Diesel Fuel Search Amendments

HB 11 amends Utah’s law regarding searches for dyed diesel fuel violations. It clarifies that government officials (including law enforcement) may only inspect a vehicle’s fuel for such violations if they have probable cause, the vehicle owner’s consent, or are conducting a search at a port-of-entry. Crucially, the bill states that simply observing a diesel-powered vehicle on a highway does not create sufficient probable cause for an inspection. This change directly affects law enforcement officers and vehicle owners by setting clear limits on when fuel inspections can occur. The amendment does not alter the underlying prohibition on using dyed diesel on highways or the associated penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts unwarranted vehicle searches, requiring probable cause per constitutional standards, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 6: Criminal Justice Base Budget

HB 6 is a state budget bill that allocates funding for Utah's criminal justice system for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It appropriates $1.35 billion for 2027 (including $949 million from the General Fund) and $27.8 million for 2026 to support agencies like the Governor's Office, Attorney General's Office, and Board of Pardons and Parole. Key provisions include funding for factual innocence payments ($95,000), jail reimbursements ($412,900), indigent defense services ($283,400), and non-lapsing funds for casework acceleration ($5 million) and children's justice centers ($1 million). The bill specifies how funds may be used and includes intent language to prevent certain appropriations from expiring at year-end.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.35B for criminal justice funding including $949M General Fund, directly advancing state budget appropriations for public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $1.35B for criminal justice agencies including indigent defense and factual innocence payments, directly funding reform-oriented services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice