Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 261: Electronic Information Privacy Act Amendments

HB 261 amends Utah's Electronic Information Privacy Act to clarify how law enforcement agencies may access electronic data. It requires warrants for most electronic information, location data, or transmitted data during criminal investigations, directly affecting law enforcement agencies and service providers like phone companies. Key provisions prohibit law enforcement from outsourcing data collection to third parties in ways they couldn’t do themselves, and mandate that illegally obtained data - or evidence derived from it - be excluded from court, similar to constitutional violations. The bill updates definitions and procedures without appropriating new funds or creating new financial obligations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for law enforcement data access, protecting civil rights and enhancing accountability in criminal justice operations.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for law enforcement data access, strengthens privacy protections under EIPA amendments, directly advancing data privacy safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Data Privacy

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 188: Juvenile Justice Amendments

HB 188 amends Utah's juvenile justice laws to clarify procedures for handling student offenses on school grounds. It directly affects students (minors), schools, law enforcement, and juvenile courts by requiring schools to refer minors to law enforcement for drug offenses and updating eligibility for alternative resolutions (nonjudicial adjustments) in specific cases. Key provisions include defining terms like "school property" and "school-sponsored activity," changing notification requirements for school-based incidents, and repealing outdated reporting statutes. These changes standardize how schools and authorities respond to student misconduct while focusing on concrete policy updates to existing laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement referral for juvenile drug offenses, expanding criminalization. Updates alternative resolutions but referral requirement increases justice system involvement.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates school referrals to law enforcement for drug offenses, restricting school-based disciplinary alternatives and increasing juvenile justice involvement in K-12 settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 136: Enforcement Activities Amendments

This Utah bill restricts state and local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities in sensitive locations (like schools or hospitals) or houses of worship, with limited exceptions for emergencies or facility owner requests. It also prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing opaque face coverings during official duties, except for tactical units, undercover operations, or if their agency has a publicly posted facial covering policy. Violations could result in a class C misdemeanor penalty for officers, unless their agency had a compliant policy in place. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to create and publish such policies to avoid criminal liability for officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement cooperation in sensitive locations to protect civil rights and mandates transparent officer identification, enhancing accountability in criminal justice operations.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRestricts state/local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities in sensitive locations, limiting cooperation with federal enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 205: Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence Amendments

SB 205 requires Utah law enforcement agencies to publicly share policies governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including which AI systems officers may use and how they must be configured. It mandates that any police report or record created partly using AI must include a clear disclaimer and a certification that the content was reviewed for accuracy. Agencies must post their full AI policies and detailed information about AI settings - such as transparency features or crime-specific restrictions - on their websites or the state public notice site. This law directly affects all Utah police departments and sheriff's offices, ensuring transparency about AI use in investigations. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires AI transparency and accuracy certification in police reports, enhancing law enforcement accountability within criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparency, disclaimers, and accuracy reviews for AI in law enforcement, protecting data privacy and digital rights through accountability measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 226: Alternative Incarceration Program Amendments

HB 226 allows Utah county sheriffs to create "sheriff's work programs" where eligible prisoners complete supervised public works projects (like park cleanups or community repairs) instead of serving jail time. It directly affects non-violent offenders sentenced to 30 days or less who voluntarily agree to participate, excluding those with prior convictions for certain offenses or under court orders. Key provisions require sheriffs to establish program rules covering eligibility, work assignments, safety, fees, and disciplinary measures, while granting participants one day of jail credit for every eight hours worked. The bill clarifies that participants remain under the sheriff’s official custody during the program and updates existing laws to align with these changes. No new funding is appropriated, and the bill takes effect in May 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates alternative to jail for non-violent offenders, reducing incarceration and promoting community service as rehabilitation - direct criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Law Enforcement

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 354: Rescue Tracking Equipment Offense Amendments

HB 354 creates a new criminal offense for damaging or interfering with public emergency alert devices designed to notify law enforcement during emergencies and help locate individuals needing assistance. The bill defines "rescue tracking equipment" as public devices that alert authorities and track locations for emergency response, and prohibits destroying, disabling, or tampering with them if it hinders their function. Violations are classified as class B misdemeanors, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or fines. This law directly affects anyone who intentionally damages or disrupts these emergency devices, ensuring they remain functional for life-saving assistance. The bill amends Utah Code Section 76-6-106.4 and takes effect May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new offense to protect emergency response devices used by law enforcement, strengthening public safety infrastructure within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 133: Use of Force Reporting Requirements

HB 133 requires individuals who use deadly force to report the incident to 911 or law enforcement within 24 hours to qualify for a pretrial hearing on whether their force was justified. If reported within that timeframe, the defendant automatically meets the initial requirement to argue justification at the hearing, shifting the burden to the state to prove the force was unjustified. The bill amends Utah Code Section 76-2-309 to establish this reporting rule and applies to most cases, with exceptions for law enforcement officers acting lawfully, minor offenses, or cases where force caused death without a timely report. The law will take effect on May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShifts burden to state to prove unjustified force, enhancing due process for defendants in use of force cases per amended Utah Code.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 168: Hunting and Fishing Amendments

HB 168 creates the Poaching Mitigation Fund to use restitution from poaching violations for anti-poaching efforts like education programs, wildlife crime detection equipment, and law enforcement training. It modifies the Guide and Outfitter Fund to allow the Division of Law Enforcement to use its money for wildlife enforcement, removes outdated references to "spotters," and updates definitions for guides and outfitters. The bill also clarifies rules about the number of people allowed to provide guide services, addresses unlawful aircraft activity during hunting/fishing, and requires reimbursement for investigatory expenses related to violations. These changes directly affect wildlife law enforcement, licensed guides/outfitters, and individuals violating hunting/fishing regulations. The bill makes technical updates to Utah code sections without appropriating new funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill uses poaching violation restitution to fund law enforcement training and wildlife enforcement, directly strengthening law enforcement within criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Poaching Mitigation Fund using restitution for anti-poaching efforts, strengthens wildlife enforcement funding, directly advancing conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Wildlife

Track

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 327: License Plate Reader Amendments

HB 327 amends Utah's laws governing automatic license plate readers (LPRs) used by government and law enforcement. It directly affects police departments, state agencies, and other public entities that collect license plate data. The bill replaces outdated rules with new requirements, including mandatory data security measures, limits on how long data can be stored, and restrictions on sharing data with other agencies. It also requires agencies to report how they use LPRs, ensuring transparency in their deployment. The law makes no changes to funding or creates new surveillance powers, focusing solely on standardizing existing LPR data handling practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeImposes data security, storage limits, and transparency requirements on law enforcement LPR use, enhancing oversight and civil rights protections in criminal justice data collection.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates data security, limits storage duration, restricts data sharing, and requires transparency for license plate data - directly enhancing privacy and cybersecurity protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Consumer Data Protection

Track

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 244: Employment Amendments

HB 244 protects employees and job applicants who voluntarily cooperate with law enforcement. It prohibits employers from asking employees not to cooperate, penalizing them for cooperating, or refusing to hire them based on this choice. Employees who face retaliation can sue for damages or court orders under the new law. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and applies to all employers in Utah.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects employees cooperating with law enforcement, preventing retaliation and aligning with civil rights and criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly protects employees from retaliation for cooperating with law enforcement, directly advancing worker rights under Labor & Employment protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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