HB 213 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Criminal Proceedings Amendments

HB 213 sets specific deadlines for courts to schedule criminal trials after requests from defendants or victims. It requires trials to begin within 90 days for defendants in custody and 180 days for others (including victims) who file written requests. Courts may extend these deadlines only for limited reasons like case complexity, court backlog, or a defendant's requested continuance. The bill amends Utah law to clarify these timeframes and applies to all criminal cases in Utah courts, effective May 6, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to shift from a 'right to a speedy trial' (where the court must act automatically) to a 'request for a speedy trial' (where the defendant or victim must file a written request to trigger the timeline). The new version also adds victims as a party who can request a speedy trial and simplifies the code structure by removing the extensive list of excluded time periods.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include victims as eligible parties to request a speedy trial, and the mechanism for triggering the timeline changed from automatic to request-based.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the trigger for the speedy trial timeline from an automatic court duty to a requirement that the defendant or victim file a written request.

ELIGIBILITY

Added victims as eligible parties who can file a written request for a speedy trial.

DEFINITION

Removed the detailed definitions for 'defendant in pretrial detention' and 'defendant not in pretrial detention' and the comprehensive list of excluded time periods.

TIMELINE

Maintained the 90-day and 180-day deadlines but tied them strictly to the date a written request is filed rather than the date of the first court appearance.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ comm rpt/ sent to Rules/ substituted [House Rules Committee]

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Recommends Returned to Rules [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Held [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors