Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 6: Criminal Justice Base Budget

HB 6 is a state budget bill that allocates funding for Utah's criminal justice system for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It appropriates $1.35 billion for 2027 (including $949 million from the General Fund) and $27.8 million for 2026 to support agencies like the Governor's Office, Attorney General's Office, and Board of Pardons and Parole. Key provisions include funding for factual innocence payments ($95,000), jail reimbursements ($412,900), indigent defense services ($283,400), and non-lapsing funds for casework acceleration ($5 million) and children's justice centers ($1 million). The bill specifies how funds may be used and includes intent language to prevent certain appropriations from expiring at year-end.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.35B for criminal justice funding including $949M General Fund, directly advancing state budget appropriations for public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $1.35B for criminal justice agencies including indigent defense and factual innocence payments, directly funding reform-oriented services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Corrections Probation & Parole

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

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 230: Offender Amendments

HB 230 requires Utah county jails to help inmates serving six months or more obtain driver’s licenses or state ID cards before release, including coordinating with the Driver License Division and providing payment vouchers. It also mandates substance abuse treatment programs to share drug test results with probation/parole officers when inmates provide written consent, and directs the Department of Corrections to provide post-release housing resources, a secure online tool for attorney communications, and annual data on inmate incentives. The bill adds requirements for tracking parole housing and updates health information disclosure rules for probationers. These provisions directly affect inmates, county jails, probation/parole officers, and state correctional agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires post-release support (driver's licenses, housing, treatment coordination) to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 253: Marijuana Use or Possession Penalty Amendments

HB 253 amends Utah's criminal penalties for marijuana possession and use, primarily affecting first-time offenders. It creates a deferred prosecution process for certain first-time marijuana possession or use offenses, allowing charges to be dismissed after meeting conditions like community service or education. The bill also adjusts penalty levels based on the amount of marijuana involved, reducing some offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. These changes apply to individuals convicted under Utah's marijuana laws, without appropriating new funds. The bill modifies multiple Utah Code sections related to drug offenses and penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces felony penalties to misdemeanors for first-time marijuana offenses, creates deferred prosecution, and adjusts sentencing - aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and lowering non-violent incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 221: Coercion Amendments

HB 221 creates new criminal offenses for aiding or encouraging suicide (separating it from manslaughter) and splits sexual extortion into two distinct charges with added penalties. It adds sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion to the list of offenses considered domestic violence and requires mandatory fines for convictions of these specific crimes. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these coercive acts, altering how these offenses are charged, classified, and punished under Utah law. The changes modify multiple Utah Code sections related to criminal sentencing and sex offender registration.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds penalties for coercion crimes, expands criminalization, and mandates fines - increasing punitive measures without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing

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

Sub-Topics Courts

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

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 105: Use of Force Amendments

SB 105 amends Utah's self-defense laws to limit when a person can claim justification for using force. It removes the defense if someone causes injury or death to an innocent person while using force against another individual, and denies pretrial hearings for defendants charged with reckless or negligent harm to others during such incidents. The bill specifically targets cases where the defendant’s claimed self-defense against one person results in unintended harm to a third party. These changes affect criminal defendants in Utah who attempt to use self-defense as a legal justification but are charged with causing harm to an unrelated individual. The amendments take effect on May 6, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts self-defense claims, denies pretrial hearings for third-party harm, reducing defendant rights in criminal justice cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

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

Sub-Topics Courts

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 200: Human Trafficking, Transporting, and Harboring Amendments

HB 200 increases penalties for transporting or harboring aliens when the victim is under 13 years old, elevating some offenses from misdemeanors to felonies. It expands victims' legal rights by allowing lawsuits for "aggravated exploitation of prostitution involving a child" under human trafficking laws and gives Utah's attorney general authority to sue suspected traffickers. The bill also clarifies that providing humanitarian aid (like medical care or housing) through religious or charitable organizations isn’t a violation. It directly affects victims of trafficking - especially children - and law enforcement prosecuting these offenses. No new funding is allocated, and existing protections for public benefits remain unchanged.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for child trafficking offenses and expands victim legal rights under criminal justice framework, strengthening enforcement against severe crimes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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