Criminal Justice

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 259: Evidence Declaration Amendments

SB 259 requires investigators, auditors, and prosecuting attorneys to sign sworn statements confirming evidence in felony cases was collected or disclosed lawfully under state and federal law. Specifically, it mandates that individuals obtaining evidence sign a statement verifying compliance with legal procedures, while prosecutors must sign a statement confirming they disclosed exculpatory evidence as required by law. These signed statements must include an unsworn declaration, and failing to comply is classified as a class A misdemeanor. The bill directly affects criminal justice professionals handling felony cases in Utah and takes effect May 6, 2026. It makes no changes to funding or other policy areas.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates sworn evidence verification and exculpatory disclosure, enhancing accountability and protecting defendant rights in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

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signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 313: Recidivism Amendments

SB 313 amends Utah's Adult Probation and Parole Employment Incentive Program to tie funding to measurable outcomes. It defines key terms like "parole employment rate" and "recidivism percentage," then requires regional probation/parole offices to report annual employment rates and reoffending data. Regions earn funding by showing improved employment rates for people on parole/probation compared to baselines, calculated by multiplying the rate difference by the region's average daily population and $2,500. However, funding is reduced to zero if recidivism increases compared to the previous year, directly affecting how probation/parole departments allocate resources to support employment programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTies public funding to measurable outcomes (employment rates) for probation/parole programs, promoting fiscal accountability and efficient use of public funds per 'Public Funds and Accounts' subject.92% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ties funding to reduced recidivism through employment metrics, directly targeting rehabilitation outcomes per its summary and subjects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Public Safety

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signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 572: Behavioral Health, Mental Health, and Social Services Amendments

HB 572 updates Utah's behavioral and mental health systems to improve coordination and support. It requires standardized consent forms for disclosing mental health conditions to providers and law enforcement, mandates jail screening tool transparency, and shifts administration of the suicide prevention fund to a dedicated office. The bill creates a peer support specialist program, establishes a family outreach role for suicide/overdose cases, and amends involuntary commitment procedures. It appropriates $750,000 for implementation in fiscal year 2027, directly affecting justice-involved individuals, mental health providers, and families impacted by behavioral health crises.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill integrates mental health support into criminal justice system via jail screenings, peer specialists, and transparency mandates, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates peer support specialists, family outreach for overdoses, and shifts suicide prevention fund to dedicated office - expands mental health services and coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 303: Expungement Amendments

SB 303 amends Utah's expungement law to adjust eligibility rules for removing criminal records. It specifically clarifies that individuals with criminal protective orders, stalking injunctions, or civil protective orders may still qualify for expungement, and changes numerical limits that previously disqualified some applicants based on the number of offenses. The bill maintains the requirement that applicants must pay all fines and restitution before expungement can be granted. This affects people with criminal records seeking to have those records removed from public view, including those with certain protective orders in place.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands expungement eligibility by removing barriers for protective order holders and adjusting offense limits, directly promoting criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism and aid rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 554: State Debt Collection Amendments

HB 554 modifies Utah's debt collection rules to streamline how government entities recover unpaid amounts. It directs the State Tax Commission to apply corporate tax overpayments toward debts under the Crime Victims Restitution Act, allows collections without a court judgment, and standardizes definitions for "accounts receivable" (including fines, restitution, and taxes). The bill also permits the State Debt Collection Fund to retain up to one year's expenses annually and makes technical updates to multiple statutes. These changes primarily affect taxpayers with outstanding debts and government agencies collecting public funds, with no new state funding required.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesStreamlines tax debt collection, enhances revenue recovery via corporate tax overpayments, and promotes fiscal management efficiency.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines restitution collections under Crime Victims Restitution Act, directly supporting victim compensation within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Debt & Bonds Courts Victims' Rights

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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

Sub-Topics Courts Tags Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 577: State-Created Remedies for Federal Constitutional Violations

HB 577 creates a new state-law remedy in Utah for residents injured by government employees (federal, state, or local) who violate federal constitutional rights while acting under official authority. It allows victims to sue for compensatory damages, equitable relief, and attorney fees, but prohibits punitive damages and requires individuals to first pursue existing federal remedies like 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The law does not apply to lawsuits against government entities themselves and only takes effect for claims accruing after May 6, 2026. This bill directly affects Utah residents facing constitutional violations by public officials, providing an additional legal avenue when federal remedies are unavailable or insufficient.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates state remedy for constitutional violations by law enforcement, enhancing accountability and civil rights protection.92% confidence

Tags Civil Liberties

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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

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 465: Juvenile Court Amendments

HB 465 modifies Utah juvenile court procedures to allow conditional suspension of detention for certain minors. It permits courts to suspend up to 5 days of detention for first-time offenses, or up to 30 days if the minor previously had a suspended sentence, subject to court conditions and safeguards like notice and hearings. The bill also updates rules for suspending commitments to the juvenile division, allowing 90-day suspensions if the minor commits no new offenses, with strict requirements for lifting suspensions. These changes directly affect minors facing detention or commitment in Utah's juvenile justice system, focusing on reducing unnecessary detention while maintaining court oversight. The bill makes no new funding commitments and amends existing code sections without altering prohibited detention grounds (e.g., for status offenses or unpaid fees).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces juvenile detention via conditional suspensions, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration for minor offenses with court safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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