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

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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

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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

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signed · Utah · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 142: Private Probation and Court Ordered Services Amendments

SB 142 regulates private probation and court-ordered service providers. It requires these providers to share certain defendant information with county sheriffs (while complying with HIPAA privacy rules), prohibits them from soliciting clients on court property, and mandates that providers conduct risk screenings and refer defendants needing specific assessments or treatment services. The bill directly affects private probation companies, county sheriffs overseeing compliance, and defendants under court supervision. Key mechanisms include standardized risk assessments, mandated referrals for specialized services, and strict privacy protections for defendant data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates risk screenings and treatment referrals, aligning with rehabilitation-focused reform and improving oversight of private probation services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 80: Physician Practice Amendments

SB 80 clarifies that physicians do not commit unprofessional conduct by participating in the execution of a death sentence authorized under Utah law. The bill amends disciplinary rules to explicitly exclude such participation from professional misconduct definitions for physicians. It directly affects medical professionals who may be involved in capital punishment procedures. The bill makes a specific policy change to protect physicians from disciplinary action related to this role, without creating new programs or allocating funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly enables physician participation in executions, strengthening death penalty implementation within criminal justice sentencing procedures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 455: Peace Officer and Dispatcher Standards Amendments

HB 455 allows peace officer and dispatcher applicants in Utah with expunged or dismissed criminal convictions to enter training programs and take certification exams under specific conditions. It directly affects individuals seeking these public safety roles who previously faced automatic disqualification due to cleared records. Key conditions include: no violent felony or sexual offense convictions, a minimum 10-year waiting period since conviction, and meeting other standard requirements like background checks. The bill amends Utah Code sections 53-6-203 and 53-6-302 to update eligibility standards for these positions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves automatic disqualification for expunged/discharged applicants in law enforcement, promoting rehabilitation and expanding public safety workforce inclusivity while maintaining safety safeguards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 588: Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Amendments

HB 588 requires Utah's Office of American Indian-Alaska Native Health and Family Services to create mandatory training for peace officers investigating missing or murdered Indigenous individuals. The training curriculum must cover tribal sovereignty principles, relevant federal/state/tribal laws, methods for gathering accurate tribal affiliation information, coordination with family members, and best practices for interviewing families. This bill directly affects law enforcement officers conducting such investigations and aims to improve investigative approaches through culturally informed practices. The training must be reviewed and updated at least every three years, with the bill taking effect on May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement training on tribal sovereignty, cultural competency, and victim coordination in missing/murdered Indigenous cases, enhancing accountability and reform in criminal justice practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 593: Bail Amendments

HB 593 amends Utah's bail procedures to improve pretrial release decisions. It requires jail staff to collect detailed information - including residential address, financial circumstances, community ties, and lethality assessments - when individuals are arrested without a warrant and booked. The bill also establishes new criteria for jail officials to release people on their own recognizance (without bail), prohibiting release for certain offenses like violent felonies, domestic violence, or recent bookings. These changes apply directly to arrested individuals, courts, and jail staff, aiming to inform release decisions with more comprehensive data while maintaining court oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends bail procedures to require detailed assessments for pretrial release, aiming to reduce unnecessary detention and improve public safety through evidence-based decisions, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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