Maddy summaryHB 561 requires individuals who use force in self-defense or defense of others to report that use of force to law enforcement as soon as they are no longer in imminent danger. This reporting is a mandatory step for qualifying individuals to receive a pretrial justification hearing, where they can argue their use of force was lawful. The bill amends Utah's use-of-force statutes (76-2-309, 76-2-402, etc.) to establish this requirement, directly affecting people facing criminal charges related to force used in defense scenarios. Failure to report prevents access to the pretrial hearing process, though the bill does not change the substantive standards for justified force. The law applies to all individuals using force under Utah's self-defense or defense-of-property provisions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 433 exempts agricultural structures used for agritourism activities from Utah's state construction code requirements. This bill specifically adds such structures to the list of buildings already exempt under state law, directly affecting farm-based tourism operators like vineyards, farms offering pick-your-own produce, or educational agricultural sites. The key change amends Utah's building code definitions to clarify that agritourism-related structures qualify for exemption, removing a potential regulatory barrier for these operations. The bill makes technical adjustments to existing code sections (15A-1-202 and 15A-1-204) without appropriating funds or altering other requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 540 creates a temporary pause on new applications to form preliminary municipalities in Utah. It prohibits anyone from filing a feasibility request after February 15, 2025, until April 1, 2026, directly affecting developers or community groups seeking to establish new incorporated areas. Existing requests filed before February 15, 2025, may still be modified or proceed under current rules. The bill amends Utah code sections governing municipal incorporation but does not change other requirements like land ownership, development plans, or population density standards. No new funding is allocated, and the change applies only to new applications during the specified freeze period.
Maddy summaryHB 413 amends Utah child custody laws to protect parents from certain interventions based on their views about a minor child's gender identity. It prohibits peace officers or child welfare workers from removing a child or taking protective custody solely because a parent disagrees with the child's gender identity, supports the child's biological sex, or does not allow gender transition treatments (hormonal or surgical). The bill also prevents courts from using these parental positions as negative evidence in custody or parent-time disputes. These changes apply to all child custody proceedings involving minors and directly affect parents, child welfare agencies, and courts in Utah. The law defines key terms like "biological sex at birth" and "hormonal transgender treatment" to clarify these restrictions.
Maddy summaryHB 289 amends Utah's Good Samaritan Law to clarify that people who provide emergency care at motor vehicle accident scenes are generally protected from civil lawsuits, unless they were grossly negligent or caused the accident. The bill specifically adds "motor vehicle accident" to the definition of "emergency" and includes new rules allowing individuals to enter locked vehicles to rescue children in immediate danger, provided they follow specific safety steps like contacting first responders first. It directly affects bystanders, good Samaritans, and first responders who assist at accident sites or help children trapped in vehicles. The changes aim to encourage voluntary assistance by reducing legal risks for those acting in good faith during emergencies.
Maddy summaryHB 374 amends Utah's election code to change how voter signatures on candidate nomination petitions are handled. It allows voters to request removal of their signature from a petition for a candidate of a non-qualified political party, requires election officials to post all signature names and dates online, and mandates officials to notify prosecutors if a signature is disputed. These changes apply directly to voters who sign petitions and election officials processing them. The bill makes no funding changes and updates existing election code sections (20A-9-403, 20A-9-405, etc.) without altering ballot access rules.