SB 191 Utah Senate · 2025 General Session

Protective Orders Amendments

SB 191 amends Utah's cohabitant abuse protective order laws to create a new "no-fault" option that requires mutual agreement between both parties (the petitioner and respondent) before a court can issue the order. This type of order must include a "credible threat finding" but cannot be used as evidence in future civil or criminal cases to prove domestic violence occurred. The bill also clarifies that obtaining a no-fault order doesn’t prevent someone from seeking emergency (ex parte) or standard protective orders, and it makes technical updates to existing legal references. These changes aim to provide a streamlined process for couples who agree on protective terms without court findings of abuse.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 30, 2025 Signed Mar 26, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 26, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends Utah's protective order laws to create a new 'no-fault cohabitant abuse protective order' that can be granted without a finding of domestic violence if both parties agree to the terms. The changes clarify definitions for cohabitation, dating relationships, and protective orders, and establish specific procedures for issuing, modifying, and enforcing these orders.
Scope change
The bill expands protective order options by adding a new category (no-fault cohabitant abuse protective order) that allows courts to grant orders based on mutual agreement rather than proving abuse occurred.
ELIGIBILITY

Created a new 'no-fault cohabitant abuse protective order' that can be issued when both the petitioner and respondent agree to the order terms without requiring a finding that domestic violence occurred.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions to clarify what constitutes a 'cohabitant,' 'dating relationship,' and various types of protective orders, including renumbering subsections to correct numbering errors.

REQUIREMENT

Requires no-fault cohabitant abuse protective orders to include a finding about whether the respondent represents a credible threat to physical safety for federal firearm prohibition purposes.

Added provisions preventing no-fault cohabitant abuse protective orders from being used as evidence that the respondent committed domestic violence in civil or criminal proceedings.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified procedures for service of process, electronic transmission of orders to law enforcement, and restrictions on when criminal provisions of protective orders can be vacated.

TECHNICAL

Made technical corrections to subsection numbering and cross-references throughout the protective order statutes.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
37
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Mar 26, 2025
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Mar 7, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
legislature
Mar 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
House/ to standing committee
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Todd Weiler
Todd Weiler
RRepublican
UT
8