SB 68 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Disability Litigation Amendments

SB 68 creates a process for Utah courts to determine if website accessibility lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are "abusive" - meaning primarily filed for monetary gain rather than fixing accessibility issues. Courts must evaluate factors like multiple similar lawsuits, the defendant's ability to defend, and whether the lawsuit was filed in an unreasonable jurisdiction. If deemed abusive, courts can award the defendant attorney fees, punitive damages (up to three times the fees), and sanctions against the filing party. This directly affects businesses sued for website accessibility and the law firms initiating such lawsuits, with the law taking effect in May 2026.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Mar 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MODERATE

This bill introduces new definitions and legal protections to combat abusive lawsuits against businesses regarding website accessibility. It establishes a 'right of action' allowing defendants to sue plaintiffs who file frivolous accessibility claims primarily to extract money, rather than to fix actual violations. The law creates a rebuttable presumption that a lawsuit is abusive if the defendant attempts to fix the issue within 30 days or cures it within 90 days, and it allows courts to award attorney fees, punitive damages, and sanctions against the abusive plaintiff.

Scope change

The bill adds a new legal framework specifically for defending against 'website access lawsuits,' expanding the scope of legal remedies available to residents and businesses in Utah.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for terms like 'website access lawsuit,' 'filing party,' and 'defending party' to clarify who can be sued and what constitutes a claim.

REQUIREMENT

Established a rebuttable presumption that a lawsuit is abusive if the defendant tries to fix the website issue within 30 days or fully cures it within 90 days.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a new cause of action allowing defendants to sue abusive plaintiffs, with potential penalties including attorney fees, punitive damages (up to three times the fee award), and sanctions.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the new law to May 6, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2026 · House Feb 26, 2026

How they voted

20–6

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 29

Feb 17, 2026

D Democratic6

6 Nay

100% Nay

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

19 Yea 3

86% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Jan 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor