Criminal Justice (Public Safety)

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.

SB 99 amends Utah law to clarify and expand the offense of "emergency reporting abuse" by specifically prohibiting contacting 911 when someone knows or should know no actual emergency exists. It directly affects individuals who make repeated false 911 calls, including those who report non-existent emergencies after being previously warned by authorities. The bill adds a new provision (Section 76-9-105.5(2)(d)) making such conduct a class B misdemeanor, while false reports about weapons of mass destruction or sex-designated changing rooms remain second-degree felonies. It also requires courts to order convicted individuals to reimburse government or organizations for response costs incurred. The law takes effect May 6, 2026.

HB 113 amends Utah's criminal code to strengthen penalties for falsely reporting emergencies to 911 or emergency services. It increases punishments for making false reports - ranging from misdemeanors for basic false calls to felonies if the report causes serious harm, death, or involves weapons of mass destruction. The bill also adds new penalties for repeated false reports about sex-designated changing rooms and requires offenders to reimburse costs for emergency responses they triggered. If passed, it would take effect on May 6, 2026, and coordinates with a related bill (S.B. 99) to align penalty structures.