SB 115 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Child and Animal Abuse Cross-reporting Amendments

SB 115 requires Utah courts to send quarterly reports of specific animal cruelty convictions (including dog fighting, animal torture, or service animal harm) to the Division of Child and Family Services. The reports must include offender details like name, address, and offense type, but explicitly prohibit using these reports to investigate child abuse cases solely based on animal cruelty convictions. This bill creates a reporting mechanism between courts and child welfare agencies for certain animal abuse cases, with no new funding or penalties. It would take effect on May 6, 2026, if passed.

Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly simplified by removing amendments to multiple existing statutes and consolidating the core changes into a single new section. The scope of the reporting requirement for courts was narrowed by deleting a provision that required reporting on convictions involving service animals and facility failures. Additionally, the bill removed a specific clause that allowed DCFS caseworkers to report animal abuse concerns, leaving only the requirement for animal control officers to report when children are present.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the requirement for courts to report convictions related to service animals and animal care facility failures, and by removing the authority for DCFS caseworkers to report animal abuse concerns.

REQUIREMENT

Deleted the requirement for courts to report convictions for injuring service animals and for animal care facilities failing to meet standards.

Removed the provision allowing DCFS caseworkers to report suspected animal abuse or neglect.

Deleted the requirement for courts to report convictions involving dog fighting and attending dog fights.

Narrowed the court reporting requirement to only include convictions for general animal cruelty, aggravated cruelty, and torturing companion animals.

Deleted the requirement for animal control officers to notify DCFS when they take serious enforcement action in a home with a child.

Deleted the requirement for animal control officers to notify DCFS when they observe a child safety concern during an animal abuse investigation.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor