SB 119: Domestic Relations Recodification - Utah

Amended 2/20/2025 11:02:176 → Substitute #1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill recodifies Utah's domestic relations laws by moving statutes from Title 78B to Title 81, updating chapter numbers for adoption, parentage, and child support laws. It modernizes terminology (e.g., changing 'support-enforcement agency' to 'child support services agency'), clarifies adoption procedures, and includes coordination clauses to resolve conflicts with other related bills.

Scope change

The bill reorganizes existing statutes from Title 78B to Title 81, making the laws more accessible and consistent with current legal standards. It does not expand or restrict the substantive scope of domestic relations law, but rather restructures how the laws are organized and referenced.

TECHNICAL

Recodifies multiple statutes from Title 78B to Title 81, including the Uniform Parentage Act, Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, and Adoption Act, to improve organization and consistency.

Makes technical and conforming changes to ensure consistency across the recodified statutes and updates chapter references.

DEFINITION

Updates terminology throughout the code, replacing 'support-enforcement agency' with 'child support services agency' and aligning definitions across related chapters.

REQUIREMENT

Adds coordination clauses to address potential conflicts with other bills (H.B. 329, H.B. 129, H.B. 30, H.B. 21, H.B. 141, and H.B. 283) if they all pass and become law.

Repeals a requirement that petitions for adoption of minor children be filed within 30 days of placement in prospective adoptive parents' homes.

Repeals a statute requiring written evidence of lawful admission when filing petitions for adoption of alien children.

Amended Excerpts 2/20/2025 11:02:176 → Amended 2/20/2025 11:02:176 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill recodifies and reorganizes Utah's domestic relations laws, moving them from Title 78B to Title 81. It updates terminology (changing 'support-enforcement agency' to 'child support services agency'), clarifies court jurisdiction for adoption cases, and makes technical corrections to definitions and cross-references. The changes aim to streamline legal processes and ensure consistency across related family law statutes.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by reorganizing multiple chapters of existing law into a new Title 81, making it easier to locate and reference domestic relations statutes. It also adds coordination clauses to ensure consistency with other pending bills.

TECHNICAL

Recodified multiple domestic relations chapters from Title 78B to Title 81, renumbering sections and updating chapter references throughout the code.

DEFINITION

Updated terminology to change 'support-enforcement agency' to 'child support services agency' in multiple sections.

Clarified definitions related to genetic fathers, legal guardians, and parental rights in adoption contexts.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that adoption petitions for minor children be filed within 30 days of placement, and removed the requirement for written evidence of lawful admission for alien child adoptions.

Added coordination clauses to address potential conflicts with other pending bills (H.B. 329, H.B. 129, H.B. 30, H.B. 21, H.B. 141, and H.B. 283).

SCOPE

Clarified jurisdiction of juvenile and district courts regarding adoption proceedings and allowed adoption cases to be brought in judicial districts rather than counties.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/20/2025 11:02:176 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill recodifies Utah's domestic relations statutes, moving them from Title 78B to Title 81 to better organize the code. It updates definitions to align with modern terminology, clarifies adoption procedures, and adjusts bereavement leave policies to include miscarriage and stillbirth scenarios. The changes streamline administrative processes and ensure consistency across related family law topics.

Scope change

The bill reorganizes existing statutes from Title 78B to Title 81, affecting how domestic relations laws are referenced and administered throughout the state.

DEFINITION

Updated terminology to replace 'support-enforcement agency' with 'child support services agency' and modernized definitions related to parentage and adoption.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded bereavement leave provisions to include miscarriage and stillbirth, ensuring employees receive paid leave in these circumstances.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified eligibility criteria for adoption services and birth parent rights, including provisions for genetic fathers and pre-existing parents.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized statutory numbering and cross-references to improve code accessibility and consistency across related family law chapters.

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MODERATE

This bill recodifies Utah's domestic relations laws by moving them from Title 78B to Title 81, updating terminology to be gender-neutral, and clarifying adoption and parentage definitions. It also repeals outdated filing deadlines for adoption petitions and modifies bereavement leave provisions to include gestational agreements. The changes modernize the legal framework for family law while maintaining existing protections and procedures.

Scope change

The bill reorganizes existing statutes from Title 78B to Title 81, making the law more accessible and consistent with other state codes. It expands bereavement leave eligibility to include partners in gestational agreements.

TECHNICAL

Recodified multiple domestic relations statutes from Title 78B to Title 81, renumbering sections for better organization.

DEFINITION

Changed terminology from 'support-enforcement agency' to 'child support services agency' and updated gender-specific language to be gender-neutral.

Added coordination clauses to address potential conflicts with other bills (H.B. 329, H.B. 129, H.B. 21, H.B. 141, H.B. 283) if they also pass.

REQUIREMENT

Repealed the 30-day filing deadline for adoption petitions and removed the requirement to include written evidence of lawful admission for alien child adoptions.

Expanded bereavement leave eligibility to include partners in gestational agreements and former partners who would have been biological parents.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated references to Uniform Parentage Act and Interstate Family Support Act provisions throughout the code.

Domestic Relations Recodification

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