Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 93: Corrections Amendments

SB 93 amends Utah's correctional laws to affect offenders under supervision and correctional facilities. It eliminates unpaid probation and parole supervision fees from offenders' debt records, directing these fees to the state debt collection office instead. The bill also prohibits removing any item from within a correctional facility's property (a change related to drone-related offenses) and updates definitions for direct supervision and correctional facility operations. These changes make technical adjustments to existing statutes without new funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates probation/parole fees from debt records, reducing financial barriers for offenders - aligns with criminal justice reform goals to decrease recidivism and promote reentry.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 27: Assault or Threat of Violence Amendments

SB 27 amends Utah law to expand protections for peace officers and military service members against assault or threats of violence. It separates offenses into two distinct categories: one for peace officers (including off-duty officers and their families if the attack was due to their status) and another for military members (including off-duty members, those not in uniform, and their families under similar circumstances). The bill clarifies definitions, such as "family member" and "peace officer," and updates related code sections to reflect these changes. These amendments aim to strengthen legal safeguards for these groups without altering existing penalty structures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly expands legal protections for peace officers and military members, strengthening law enforcement safety and authority within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly expands legal protections for military service members (including veterans) against assault/threats, creating dedicated offense categories for their safety under 'Veterans and Military Affairs' subject.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 321: Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments

HB 321 establishes that Utah's Department of Health and Human Services must pay University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics the standard Medicaid base rate (not higher rates) for inmate medical care when no contract exists, creating a savings mechanism. It requires the department to deposit 50% of these savings into a new "Inmate Medical Treatment Restricted Account" for correctional health services, while the other 50% returns to the General Fund. The bill mandates annual reports to legislative committees detailing the savings calculations and account balances. This directly affects state departments managing inmate healthcare, hospitals providing services, and incarcerated individuals receiving medical treatment. The policy changes focus on standardizing reimbursement rates and tracking cost savings without altering healthcare delivery.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill standardizes inmate medical rates to save costs, directing 50% of savings to General Fund, promoting fiscal responsibility and budget management.92% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates 50% of inmate medical savings to correctional health services, directly funding a key criminal justice component per bill's funding mechanism.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill redirects 50% of savings from lower inmate medical payments into a dedicated correctional health services account, explicitly funding this healthcare subsector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 218: Constable Modifications

SB 218 requires all constables contracted by Utah cities or counties to hold a state-issued license starting January 1, 2027. It creates a Constables Licensing Board to set qualifications, handle disciplinary actions, and manage applications for constable, deputy constable, and apprentice constable licenses. The bill modifies how local governments contract with constables, including new selection processes and mandatory contract terms like insurance requirements and a four-year maximum term. State law now overrides local regulations regarding constable licensing and operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates licensing board with disciplinary authority for constables, strengthening oversight and standardization in local law enforcement - aligns with accountability indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 156: Constable Amendments

SB 156 amends Utah Code Section 17-78-603 to allow constables to offer individuals a payment schedule instead of seizing their property for unpaid debts. This directly affects constables (county-appointed officers enforcing warrants and collecting debts) and individuals who owe money to a county or court. The key change permits constables to establish agreed-upon payment plans as an alternative to immediate property seizure, as specified in the updated code section. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and makes only technical adjustments to existing law without appropriating funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows constables to offer payment plans instead of property seizure for unpaid debts, reducing punitive enforcement and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 205: Substance Use Intervention Amendments

HB 205 creates new pathways for substance use treatment within Utah's criminal justice system. It allows county jails to establish recovery housing pods for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders, requiring approval by local substance abuse authorities and structured treatment programs. The bill also restricts syringe exchange programs to only distributing syringes (not other drug paraphernalia) and prohibits exchanges in public parks. Additionally, it authorizes courts to implement structured treatment programs for drug offenses and issue geographic "off-limits" orders for individuals charged with drug crimes. These changes primarily affect jails, local health authorities, and courts managing drug-related cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates recovery housing pods and treatment programs within jails to address substance use disorders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates treatment pathways in jails, requires structured programs, aligns with healthcare services for substance use disorders92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HR 8: Resolution Admonishing and Censuring Judge Don M. Torgerson

This bill is a resolution from the Utah House of Representatives that formally censures Judge Don M. Torgerson for comments made during a sentencing hearing involving child sexual exploitation. The resolution condemns the judge for minimizing the severity of the crimes and suggesting that a defendant's socioeconomic privilege could justify a lighter sentence. It also expresses disappointment that the Utah State Courts issued inaccurate information defending the judge's conduct. The measure does not change laws or allocate funds but serves as an official statement of disapproval from the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill holds judge accountable for minimizing crimes and suggesting privilege justifies lighter sentences, promoting judicial integrity and fair sentencing in criminal justice.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed both · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HJR 26: Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Evidence to Address Machine-Generated Evidence

HJR 26 amends Utah's Rules of Evidence to establish new standards for admitting evidence generated by automated systems (like AI or algorithms) that make inferences or predictions. It requires such evidence to meet four criteria for admissibility: it must help the court understand the case, be based on sufficient facts, use reliable methods, and apply those methods correctly to the facts. This rule specifically excludes basic measuring devices (like speedometers or thermometers) from these requirements. The bill affects Utah courts and legal proceedings involving machine-generated evidence, ensuring such evidence meets reliability standards before being used in trials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes reliability standards for AI evidence to prevent misuse in court, protecting defendant rights and ensuring fair trials within criminal justice system.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed both · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HJR 28: Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules Related to Capital Felony Cases

HJR 28 amends Utah court rules to create a new procedure for remanding non-capital felony appeals (cases without a death sentence) to trial courts. It allows defendants to request the appellate court send their case back for factual findings about claims of ineffective legal counsel, requiring specific evidence and limiting the process to 90 days. The bill explicitly excludes capital felony cases (with death sentences) from this remand process. This affects defendants in non-capital felony appeals challenging their attorneys' performance, providing a structured way to address incomplete records without changing the death penalty process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows defendants to seek factual findings on ineffective counsel claims in non-capital appeals, enhancing due process protections within criminal procedure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 207: Competency Amendments

HB 207 amends Utah court procedures for competency evaluations of defendants in criminal cases. It requires courts to order multiple evaluations simultaneously if needed, allows the Department of Health to conduct additional evaluations under specific circumstances, and permits transferring defendants to clinical settings for evaluations. The bill clarifies reporting rules for progress toward competency and ensures involuntary medication orders remain valid during facility transfers. This procedural update affects defendants, courts, and the Department of Health, with no new funding required.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies competency procedures to ensure fair trials and defendant rights, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of procedural fairness and proper judicial operations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice