Rep. Verona Mauga

Maddy summaryHB 34 updates Utah's victim rights complaint procedures by creating a coordinator role within the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. The coordinator receives and processes complaints about alleged violations of victim rights, forwards complaints to the appropriate judicial district committee, and ensures timely notifications to victims. Criminal justice agencies must now provide written policies for handling such complaints. This bill directly affects victims reporting rights violations, victim rights committees, and agencies like law enforcement, prosecutors, and corrections. No new funding is required for these administrative changes.

Maddy summaryHB 87, titled "Animal Crime Victim Amendments," modifies Utah's legal process for animals held due to abuse or criminal involvement. The bill creates a court review process during ongoing criminal cases to allow temporary release or transfer of such animals, requires notice to owners before custody changes, and permits courts to order owners to pay shelter costs or complete animal cruelty prevention programs. It also establishes clear procedures for court hearings on animal ownership, including allowing owners to present their case, and sets guidelines for placing animals if ownership is transferred. This directly affects animals in shelters linked to crimes, their owners, law enforcement officers, and courts handling these cases.

Maddy summaryHB 172 amends Utah's food safety laws to extend the renewal period for certified food safety managers from three to five years. It updates exemptions for temporary food events (like school functions, church meals, and nonprofit fundraisers) and clarifies that food service businesses donating food to qualifying nonprofits cannot be charged extra fees or required for additional training. The bill also defines key terms and makes technical adjustments to existing code sections. These changes directly affect food service businesses, managers, and nonprofit organizations hosting food-related events in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 541 amends Utah's First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program by increasing the maximum assistance for new construction homes from $10,000 to $20,000 and keeping the limit at $10,000 for existing homes. It directly affects first-time homebuyers purchasing qualifying residential units in Utah who meet federal and state criteria, such as not owning another home within the past three years. The bill modifies key program provisions in Utah Code Sections 63H-8-501 and 63H-8-502 to reflect these adjusted funding limits, while making technical updates to definitions and administrative rules. No new funding is appropriated; the changes adjust how existing program funds are distributed.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryThis Utah bill creates a new offense for openly carrying firearms within 500 feet of "large public gatherings" (defined as 200+ people at protests, parades, or similar First Amendment events). It clarifies open carry rules by age: those 18-20 without permits may only carry unloaded firearms in vehicles or on streets, while those 21+ may openly carry anywhere except prohibited locations like schools, airports, or houses of worship. The key new provision specifically bans open carry near large gatherings, though concealed carry remains unaffected. This directly affects Utah residents carrying firearms openly near public demonstrations or events.

Maddy summaryHB 86 expands Utah's definition of "restricted persons" who cannot possess dangerous weapons. It adds two key categories: people found not guilty by reason of insanity for *any* criminal offense (not just felonies) and those found mentally incompetent to stand trial for *any* criminal offense (not just felonies). These changes directly affect individuals with specific mental health findings in criminal cases, broadening existing restrictions. The bill amends Utah Code Section 76-11-303 to include these provisions without new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 290 updates Utah's bicycle lane regulations by clarifying rules for motor vehicle use and prohibiting obstructions. The bill defines key terms like "bicycle lane" (a designated road section for bicycles, excluding shared lanes) and specifies that motor vehicles may only enter these lanes under limited circumstances. It also explicitly prohibits parking, blocking, or otherwise obstructing bicycle lanes with vehicles or objects. This directly affects bicyclists, drivers, and local highway authorities responsible for lane markings and enforcement. The changes aim to improve safety for cyclists by creating clearer, more enforceable rules on roadways.

Maddy summaryHB 248 amends Utah law to strengthen protections for veterans seeking VA benefits. It assigns enforcement of civil penalties for unlawful assistance to the Division of Consumer Protection and clarifies prohibited conduct (like deceptive practices) when individuals help veterans navigate VA benefit applications. The bill directly affects individuals or businesses providing such assistance, not veterans themselves. It makes no new financial commitments and focuses on regulatory clarity and enforcement mechanisms within existing consumer protection frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 358 creates three new criminal offenses related to sexual conduct. It prohibits demanding explicit content from people in custody (e.g., jail inmates), and bans using virtual reality avatars to engage in sexual activity with children under 14 or minors aged 14-17. The bill defines key terms like "sexually explicit conduct" and specifies that consent is not a defense for these acts. Violations range from class A misdemeanors (for the VR minor offense) to third-degree felonies (for the child VR offense), with penalties taking effect May 7, 2025.