UtahS.B. 2572026 General SessionSenateWALLET

Domestic Relations Amendments

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

31 provisions identified: 17 benefits, 1 costs, 13 mixed.

More ways to get in-state college tuition

The law expands who counts as a resident student. It covers tribal members tied to Utah who graduated in Utah, Job Corps students with verification, spouses who establish Utah domicile, and dependent students with a parent domiciled in Utah for 12+ months. It also includes people who move for full‑time permanent work, approved Olympic trainees, those who relocate for divorce, death, or long‑term family care with good‑faith proof, and certain foreign nationals who attended a Utah high school for 3+ years and graduated. Schools require the listed documents to confirm status.

New $100 credit for at-home parents

You can claim a $100 state tax credit for each child who is 12 months old or younger at year‑end. Your household AGI must be $50,000 or less, and the at‑home parent’s wages plus gross Schedule C income must be $3,000 or less. The at‑home parent must provide full‑time care at home and claim the child as a dependent. The credit is nonrefundable and cannot be carried forward or back.

Adoption notices, deadlines, and parent rights

Adoption notices must say that anyone who wants to contest must file a motion to intervene within 30 days after service. Missing this strict 30‑day deadline waives further notice and bars later claims. A birth mother cannot consent until at least 24 hours after birth; a child must be at least 12 to consent. A birth parent under 18 may consent or relinquish, and it is effective when signed and cannot be revoked. Unmarried biological fathers preserve rights by starting a parentage case and filing notice with the designated office; forms are available at county health departments and go into a confidential registry. Courts appoint counsel for indigent parents in private termination cases.

Adoption rules for unmarried fathers, others

For a child placed more than 180 days after birth, an unmarried father’s consent is required only if he built a substantial relationship by visits, support, and responsibility. For a child 180 days old or younger, his consent is not required unless, before the birth mother signs, he starts a parentage case, files a sworn affidavit with parenting and support plans, files notice in the confidential registry, and in some cases offers to pay reasonable pregnancy and birth costs. An out‑of‑state parentage order counts only to show biological fatherhood and does not alone give notice, consent, or custody rights without full Utah compliance. Adoption petitions must show compliance with the Interstate Compact when the child was born in another state, and cases with an Indian child must follow the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Child support rules and auto changes

Courts use a clear income list and must exclude means‑tested aid like SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, housing subsidies, and General Assistance when figuring gross income. Each parent must provide income proof; earned income counts up to one full‑time 40‑hour job. Self‑employment income is gross receipts minus necessary business costs. Orders must state monthly support, how medical and child‑care costs and health insurance are handled, tax‑exemption rights, and income withholding. When a child emancipates (such as turning 18 or graduating in the normal year), base support automatically resets to the table amount for the remaining children using the last order’s incomes, unless incomes are missing, inconsistent, or the order deviated. Social Security paid to the child from a parent’s earnings counts as a credit to that parent’s support. ORS may not collect support for DCFS for a month when a child in DCFS custody lives with a custodial parent more than seven straight days.

Make-up parent-time and safety notices

If parent-time was denied due to a child welfare investigation with no finding, or due to falsified claims that were dismissed, the court must order make‑up parent‑time of the same type and length within two years, unless there is a good-cause reason to deny it. A parent must immediately tell the other parent if someone who must register as a sex offender, or who has certain listed convictions, lives with or has access to the child and the parent knows it.

Standard parent-time schedules and age-5 review

When parents cannot agree, the law sets a minimum parent-time schedule for children ages 5–18, plus holiday and summer rules. Using the optional schedule counts as 145 overnights for child support. A court can make the increased optional schedule the new minimum if both agree or the noncustodial parent proves set factors. The noncustodial parent may take up to four weeks each summer, with notice deadlines that switch by odd and even years. For children nine months or older, there must be at least two short phone calls per week and virtual time when equipment is available and parents live 100+ miles apart; under nine months, visits should occur in familiar places unless both parents agree otherwise. For orders entered on or after May 6, 2026, a child turning five is a material change that lets a parent ask the court to review custody or parent-time unless the order already addresses age five.

Stronger child-safety limits in custody

Courts cannot give custody or parent‑time to a parent convicted of a sexual offense that led to the child’s conception, unless the other parent consents in writing and the court finds it is best for the child, or the parents later cohabit and create a mutual custodial home. Courts also may not give custody to a non‑parent with serious listed convictions unless strict rehabilitation and relationship tests are met and extra safeguards are added. A court may order supervised parent‑time only if there is likely harm, supervision is needed, and no less‑restrictive option exists, and it must set goals, consider cost, and set review hearings.

Easier school enrollment and no local tuition

For K–12, a power of attorney or a special military guardianship power is enough for enrollment and consent. Schools may not charge local tuition for a transferring student placed with a noncustodial parent or a person standing in loco parentis in another area. A transferring or transitioning military child may keep attending the same school, and agencies must help the child join activities even after deadlines. The law also clarifies who is a “parent” for school purposes.

Registered offenders need written OK

A registered sex offender whose duty to register is for an offense against a child under 14 may not ask a child under 14 to go with them unless the offender tells the parent first and carries written permission that lists the dates and places. Verbal permission works only at the child’s home or its property. If the child is the offender’s own child, accompaniment is allowed unless a court or supervision order bars contact.

Child support now includes child-care costs

The law requires parents to share reasonable work-related child care costs equally. For orders made or changed on or after January 1, 2027, the obligor pays a minimal child care award set by a table that uses both parents’ combined income and the child’s age, unless the low-income table applies or the court finds no child care will be incurred. The amount adjusts as the child ages and ends at age 13 or emancipation, and does not apply for months the child is in a state-run facility. If a parent works during extended time and pays for care, those costs are presumed included unless payments would push the obligor’s support over 50% of adjusted gross income. Courts may impute a monthly child care obligation when imputing income to a parent providing care, and must credit it against actual expenses. A parent who pays for care must give written proof, the provider’s name, and 30‑day notice of any change, or risk losing credit or reimbursement; this notice is not required if a protective order or stalking injunction bars contact.

Clearer parentage after assisted reproduction

The law defines assisted reproduction methods and who counts as a birth mother and a gestational mother. A husband generally cannot challenge paternity of a child conceived by assisted reproduction unless he files within two years of learning of the birth and the court finds he did not consent. He may challenge at any time only if he did not provide sperm, did not consent, the spouses have not cohabited since the procedure, and he never openly treated the child as his. The law restates when a man is presumed the father and limits late DNA challenges when a court already decided parentage. Time limits apply to rescind or challenge paternity filings.

Non-parent custody rights and paternity rules

A non‑parent can get custody or visitation only by clear and convincing proof they acted as a parent, formed a strong bond, that loss would harm the child, and a listed problem exists with a parent. If a juvenile matter is open, non‑parent petitions must be filed in juvenile court; otherwise, file in the district court where the child lives or lived recently. Courts may deny or disregard DNA testing that excludes a presumed, declarant, or possible father if someone is estopped from denying parentage and breaking the relationship would be unfair, and then adjudicate that person as the father. The law also clarifies that custody rules tied to certain convictions apply to cases pending on March 25, 2017 without a final decision and to cases filed on or after that date.

Relocation travel costs and court review

If you relocate, you must pay all of a child’s holiday travel costs and half of extended summer travel when the noncustodial parent is current on support. If a court finds the noncustodial parent in contempt for unpaid support, that parent must pay all travel costs unless the court orders otherwise. The paying party must reimburse the other within 30 days after receiving receipts. After a relocation notice is filed, the court must set a hearing and can adjust the schedule and assign transportation costs.

Sex offender registry: who registers, removal

The law expands who must register. Utah residents and people in Utah for 10 days in 12 months must register if they have similar convictions elsewhere. Juveniles who offend after May 3, 2023 register only if charged, bound over, and convicted. Courts can reduce lifetime registration to 10 years for offenders under 21 if the offense had no force or coercion and listed factors favor it. After 10 years, removal is possible with a clean 10‑year record (no class A misdemeanors or felonies), completed treatment, and paid restitution, proven by a state certificate. People registered here only because of another state can petition in Utah if that state doesn’t require lifetime, they meet 10‑year rules, lived in Utah 183 days a year for two straight years, intend to stay, and have that state’s court order allowing removal.

No bias for cannabis or child identity

A court may not treat lawful medical cannabis use differently than other prescribed drugs in custody or parent‑time decisions. A court also may not punish a parent for agreeing or disagreeing with a child’s stated gender identity or for the child’s sexual orientation.

Protective order relationship definitions updated

The law clarifies who is a cohabitant for protective orders and who is not. It also lists factors to decide if a dating relationship exists and says not all factors must be present. This helps courts and people seeking or defending protective orders.

Set times for parent-time and holidays

For children age 5 to 18, weekday evenings start at 5:30 p.m. and end at school drop‑off or 8:00 a.m., and alternating weekends run Friday 5:30 p.m. to Monday morning. For children under five, the law sets age‑based minimum visits, weekend time, and holiday hours. Holiday start and end times are updated and say which parent gets each holiday. If a court already set your schedule, that court order controls and later statute changes do not change it unless the court modifies it. If H.B. 309 also becomes law, Juneteenth holiday times change on January 1, 2027.

Who can consent to child donations

For organ, eye, or tissue donation by a minor, a “parent” is someone with a legal parent‑child relationship whose parental rights are not terminated. This makes clear who may give consent for an anatomical gift involving a minor.

Path to pay family caregivers under Medicaid

The health department must seek federal approval to pay family caregivers under Medicaid home‑ and community‑based waivers for “extraordinary care.” It applies to spouses first and later to parents or guardians. Payments start only if CMS approves the waiver changes, and the department defines “extraordinary care” by rule.

Infant at Work pilot for DHHS staff

Eligible health and human services employees can apply to bring an infant age 6 to 26 weeks to work. You must have worked 12 straight months and 1,250 hours in the prior 12 months. The division reviews safety and the workspace; the employee is solely responsible for the infant’s care. The program runs for at least one year and cannot require extra space beyond your existing workspace.

Automatic removal from registry in some cases

The department must remove a person from the registry if their only listed offenses are certain lesser crimes, or if a court or the Board reverses, vacates, or pardons the conviction. The department must answer removal requests within 30 days and may take one 30‑day extension.

Standard terms for child-safe app stores

The law defines key terms for protecting kids in app stores. It sets age groups, what counts as parental consent, and common language for apps, app stores, developers, parents, and minors. These definitions guide later rules for disclosures and consent.

What counts as a home security upgrade

A “security improvement” for protection certificates must protect a person or immediate family, be built within the property’s boundaries, and not interfere with others’ property rights. Upgrades under an easement are allowed if they do not damage or interfere with the easement’s use.

State funds at-home parent tax credit

The Division of Finance transfers money each year from the General Fund to the Income Tax Fund to cover all at-home parent credits that taxpayers claim. The transfer equals the total amount of these credits. The State Tax Commission can set rules for how the transfer happens.

Longer registration after child-solicitation offense

If a registered sex offender is convicted of asking a child under 14 to go with them, the law adds five more years of registration. The extra five years start after the person’s original registration period ends.

Marriage licensing and separation changes

County clerks must verify age, name, and identity. No one can use a power of attorney to get a marriage license. Social Security numbers are not on public records, but may be shared with the child support office for child‑support work only. A marriage is void if a party is under 18, unless age 16 or 17 with a parent or guardian’s consent and juvenile court approval, or if there is a living undivorced spouse. You may file for a temporary separation without filing divorce; if you have minor children, both parties must attend a divorce orientation on the set timelines, and the separation filing fee is credited if divorce is filed within a year.

Parents must share event, contact info

The custodial parent must tell the other parent within 24 hours after getting notice of important school, sports, or community events. Parents must tell each other right away about medical emergencies. Each parent must share any new address, phone, email, or virtual parent‑time info within 24 hours. These duties do not apply if a court or protective order bars contact.

Relocation rules and travel plans for kids

A move of 150 miles or more counts as relocation. The moving parent must give 60 days’ written notice, state the parent-time plan, and promise not to block the other parent’s rights. After relocation, the noncustodial parent of a child age 5–18 gets a minimum schedule: one weekend per month at their cost, half of summer/off‑track time, and holidays that alternate by year unless a court orders otherwise. When a child travels with a parent, the traveling parent must give the other parent an itinerary, contact details, and a third person’s contact, unless a protective order or stalking injunction bars contact.

Rules for remote marriage ceremonies

A county marriage license counts as used in Utah only if the officiant is physically in Utah. If the couple is not in the same location as the officiant, the county must post a bold website warning in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, French, and Mandarin, and the officiant must read that warning word‑for‑word before the ceremony for the license to count as used in Utah.

Tie-breakers with other 2026 family bills

If S.B. 257 and S.B. 30 both become law, the term “natural parent” changes to “parent” on May 6, 2026 in the listed parts of S.B. 30. If S.B. 257 and S.B. 304 both become law, S.B. 257’s section controls the make‑up parent‑time rules starting May 6, 2026.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Todd Weiler
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Stephanie Gricius
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 159 • No: 1

House vote • 3/6/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 61 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Senate/ concurs with House amendment

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2026

House/ substituted

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

House Comm - Substitute Recommendation

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 23 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd reading

Yes: 26 • No: 0

House vote • 2/12/2026

Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation

Yes: 5 • No: 0