Maddy summaryHB 441, the Franchisee Protection Act, prohibits franchisors from requiring franchisees to operate on days conflicting with their sincerely held religious beliefs, except in specific cases like pre-existing agreement terms or voluntary amendments. It directly affects franchisees operating businesses under franchise agreements (excluding auto dealers and hotels), ensuring they cannot be penalized for religious observance. Key provisions include requiring franchisors to comply with religious accommodations, providing remedies like damages and attorney fees for violations, and imposing civil penalties up to $50,000 for repeated breaches. The law takes effect on May 7, 2025, and applies to franchise agreements not covered by existing auto or hotel franchise regulations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 279 adds rodeo competitions sanctioned by specific international, non-profit organizations to Utah's list of valid excuses for high school absences. The bill amends state law to explicitly include "competition in a rodeo sanctioned by an international, non-profit organization dedicated to youth sportsmanship, horsemanship, and character development" as a valid excuse. This change directly affects Utah high school students participating in these sanctioned rodeos, allowing them to miss school without facing truancy consequences. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, with no new funding required.
Maddy summarySB 301 updates Utah's law protecting public speech from frivolous lawsuits. It narrows the law to apply only to defamation or slander cases involving constitutional rights like free speech or assembly. Key changes require courts to dismiss such cases without final judgment if they don't meet legal standards, and limit when defendants can recover legal costs or fees. This primarily affects activists, journalists, and community members speaking on public issues who face lawsuits over their expression.
Maddy summarySB 94 increases the cap on Utah's Securities Investor Education, Training, and Enforcement Fund from $500,000 to $1,000,000. This allows the fund to retain more money from securities-related civil penalties and fines before transferring excess to the General Fund. The fund uses these resources to provide education for Utah residents about securities laws and investment decisions, train industry professionals, and support enforcement activities like investigations and litigation. The change directly affects Utah residents learning about financial markets and the financial industry, which funds its compliance training through the program.
Maddy summaryHB 271 amends Utah's law against disrupting lawful meetings or processions, directly affecting individuals who intentionally obstruct such gatherings. The bill clarifies that disrupting a meeting or procession by using force, threatening language that causes fear, or creating excessive noise to deny facility access constitutes a crime. Violations are classified as a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail or a $100 fine. The changes take effect on May 7, 2025, and coordinate with another bill (H.B. 21) to ensure consistent legal language.
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 440, the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, establishes standardized procedures for modifying home mortgages to prevent foreclosures. It directly affects homeowners at risk of losing their homes and the lenders holding their mortgages by requiring consistent processes for modification requests. Key provisions mandate that lenders follow specific, transparent guidelines when evaluating hardship cases, including clear communication of terms and timelines for approval. The law aims to create a predictable system for both homeowners and lenders without favoring either party.
Maddy summaryHB 164 clarifies traffic rules for drivers turning left at intersections. It states that a driver turning left does not have to yield to an oncoming driver who fails to stop at a stop sign or red light. The bill specifically amends Utah law to remove the obligation for left-turning drivers in this scenario, while maintaining that drivers must still yield when oncoming traffic is approaching safely. The change affects all drivers operating vehicles at intersections with stop signs or traffic signals. The law takes effect May 7, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 258 proposes changes to how state funds are allocated for educational programs within correctional facilities. It directly affects state prisons and incarcerated individuals by modifying the funding mechanism for these programs. The bill's key provision would redirect specific education funding streams to prioritize certain types of coursework or expand access to vocational training. As of March 8, 2025, the bill was struck from the Senate calendar and has not advanced further in the legislative process.
Maddy summaryHB 140 adds an aggravating factor for assault or threat of violence offenses committed against referees during official duties. It defines "referee" as someone officiating sanctioned sporting events (not informal games) and requires courts to consider this factor when sentencing offenders. The bill does not create new penalties but directs judges to weigh this circumstance more heavily during sentencing. It becomes effective on May 7, 2025, and affects only cases involving assaults on referees in organized sports contexts.