SB 73 requires online platforms providing content deemed harmful to minors to implement age verification systems. It imposes an excise tax on these platforms, with revenues funding mental health programs and enforcement through the Division of Consumer Protection. The bill creates two dedicated accounts for these funds and grants the Division authority to investigate violations, impose fines, and establish verification standards. Platforms failing to comply face civil penalties, while approved verification methods receive a safe harbor from liability.
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.
HB 438, the AI Companion Chatbot Safety Act, regulates companies that create AI chatbots designed for emotional engagement. It requires suppliers to implement safety protocols for identifying risks, conduct independent safety evaluations, and publicly report on safety measures and user engagement. The bill specifically prohibits sharing minors' data, sending unsolicited messages to encourage use, exposing minors to harmful content, or hiding that the chatbot is AI (mandating clear disclosure). It grants enforcement authority to Utah's Division of Consumer Protection and establishes fines for violations. The law directly affects AI chatbot developers and users, particularly minors, by setting concrete safety and transparency standards.
HB 218 amends Utah’s requirements for digital literacy education in grades 7 and 8, directly affecting public school students in those grades starting the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines specific digital skills concepts (such as online ethics, AI literacy, cybersecurity, social media impact, and misinformation evaluation) that must be covered in the course. It also establishes an advisory tech council to guide curriculum development, recommend resources, and advise on emerging technologies. The changes update existing education codes without new funding, focusing on standardizing digital literacy instruction across Utah schools.
HB 237 amends Utah's stalking law to strengthen protections for victims and increase penalties for offenders. It specifically adds a second-degree felony penalty when an offender unlawfully enters a victim's dwelling during stalking, and clarifies definitions like "course of conduct" to include digital harassment (e.g., texts, social media). The bill directly affects stalking victims and individuals convicted of stalking, making unlawful dwelling entry a more severe offense. These changes update existing statutes without new funding or broad procedural shifts.
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.
HJR 6 is a non-binding resolution encouraging Utah public schools to prioritize student well-being by increasing physical activity and reducing screen time during the school day. It specifically urges schools to expand physical education, outdoor recess, and unstructured play while recommending thoughtful limits on digital device use - especially for younger students - to support mental health. The resolution, addressed to school leaders and state agencies like the State Board of Education, does not appropriate funds or create new requirements, but rather offers recommendations based on research linking reduced screen time to improved youth mental health outcomes. It follows concerns about rising youth anxiety and the displacement of outdoor play by digital learning tools.
SB 177 requires businesses using algorithmic pricing (where prices change based on a consumer's personal data) to include a specific disclaimer when setting or displaying those prices. It directly affects suppliers - such as retailers or service providers - that regularly use algorithms to adjust prices for goods or services. The bill defines "algorithmic pricing" and makes it a deceptive practice to fail to provide the required disclaimer, as outlined in amended Utah Code Sections 13-11-3 and 13-11-4. This policy change mandates clear disclosure to consumers about algorithm-driven pricing without introducing new funding or broad regulatory changes.
SB 183 prohibits law enforcement officers or their agents from tampering with, repositioning, or disabling privately or commercially owned surveillance cameras without specific authorization. The law allows exceptions when the camera owner consents, a court issues a warrant beforehand, or during urgent emergencies - requiring officers to notify owners within 24 hours or obtain a court order as soon as possible after the emergency ends. This directly affects camera owners (including businesses and residents) and law enforcement agencies operating in Utah. The bill creates two new Utah Code sections (53-25-1201 and 53-25-1202) and excludes trail cameras from its provisions. It takes effect on May 6, 2026.
This bill changes Utah school device rules to ban cellphones, smart watches, and similar "emerging technology" during all school hours (including lunch, recess, and transitions), not just during instructional time. It affects all students in Utah public schools by expanding device restrictions from classroom hours to the entire school day. Exceptions allow device use for emergencies, medical needs, IEP accommodations, or the SafeUT Crisis Line. School districts must adopt policies aligning with these rules, effective July 1, 2026.
