All Roll Calls
Yes: 149 • No: 0
UtahS.B. 722026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Obscene Animal Abuse Material Amendments
Sponsored By: Evan J. Vickers (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AnimalsAbuse, Neglect, or DependencyCrimesLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticePornographySexual OffensesFines
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
New crimes and penalties for distributors
Distributing obscene animal abuse material is a crime. If you are 18 or older, it is a third‑degree felony with at least a $1,000 fine plus $10 per article and at least 30 days in jail. Ages 16–17 face a Class A misdemeanor; under 16 is a Class B misdemeanor. It is also a felony to help a minor distribute this material, or to force buyers or franchisees to accept it. Conspiracy brings at least a $1,000 fine and 60 days in jail; repeat conspirators face a higher felony, at least a $5,000 fine, and at least one year in jail. Each act or day can count as a separate offense. Effective May 6, 2026.
Obscene material banned on school property
On school property, it is a crime to intentionally create, view, or access obscene animal abuse material. If you are 18 or older, it is a Class A misdemeanor; under 18 is a Class B misdemeanor. Distributing this material at school is also banned. Effective May 6, 2026.
Landlords and tenants face 10-day rules
Owners or lessors who knowingly allow property to be used to distribute or show this material commit a Class A misdemeanor when there was a prior on‑site conviction. After written notice from authorities, owners must act within 10 days to void the lease or face charges. Unpaid fines become a lien on the property after 30 days. Tenants who get written notice that the lease is void must leave within 10 days or face a Class A misdemeanor. Effective May 6, 2026.
Warnings, metadata, and civil penalties
Families can sue if a minor is harmed by this material. Distributors must show a clear “STATE OF UTAH WARNING” before access, put it on print covers made after May 12, 2020, and show it for at least five seconds for digital content. Websites must include searchable metadata, including the exact text “utahobscenitywarning.” Each missing warning or metadata tag is a separate violation. Penalties are up to $2,500 per violation, plus fees; a one‑time cure lets you fix issues and pay $500 per alleged violation on time. Private suits require notice and a wait; 50% of any penalty goes to the Crime Victim Reparations Fund. The civil penalty amount is CPI‑indexed every five years starting May 1, 2025.
Cities can set local content rules
Counties and cities can regulate locations and businesses that distribute this material. Local rules can include zoning, licensing, nuisance rules, adult‑business regulations, and blinder racks. State laws still apply. Effective May 6, 2026.
Faster court orders, seizures, and subpoenas
Prosecutors can seek restraining orders and injunctions with fast timelines. After an answer, trial starts within three days and the court decides within two days. Final orders can require surrender of the material for the sheriff to seize and destroy. Out‑of‑state distributors who send material into Utah to distribute consent to Utah suits. For searches and corporate cases, affidavits must describe the material; claimants can get a hearing within seven days after filing within 10 days of seizure, and a decision within two days. Effective May 6, 2026.
Narrow exemptions for treatment and breastfeeding
Corrections and contracted treatment programs may use material only for offender assessment or treatment. A woman breastfeeding anywhere she has a right to be never violates this law, even if uncovered. There is a defense for institutions or people with scientific, educational, governmental, or similar reasons; routine workers like projectionists or bookstore staff cannot use this defense. Effective May 6, 2026.
What counts as obscene animal abuse
The law defines obscene animal abuse material. It covers depictions of animal crushing or sexual conduct with an animal that meet the obscenity test. It explains what “animal crushing” is and excludes normal vet care, farming, lawful hunting, research, and acts to protect life or property. It defines sexual conduct with an animal and ties to the state bestiality law. In court, neither side must use expert witnesses to prove obscenity, and civil law uses the same definition. Effective May 6, 2026.
Age checks and other safe harbors
A distributor avoids civil liability by showing a clear warning before access and making a good‑faith age check. A partial safe harbor applies if the distributor warned more than 75% of content entering Utah over the shorter of six months or since May 12, 2020, excluding VPN‑hidden traffic. Video games qualify if they have an ESRB (or equivalent) rating that clearly notes the content. People shown without consent, and people forced to distribute, are not liable under these civil rules. Effective May 6, 2026.
Limited shield for ISPs and hosts
Internet and hosting services are not liable when content only passes through or is stored or cached. The shield applies if they do not intentionally help distribute the material and do not knowingly take money to permit it. It covers both criminal aiding rules and civil claims tied to incidental transmission or hosting. Effective May 6, 2026.
Enterprise remedies now include these crimes
Obscene animal abuse distribution is added to the list of crimes that can make up a pattern of unlawful activity. Civil courts can use enterprise remedies in these cases. Before orders that could limit speech, courts must hold hearings to decide if the material is obscene or pornographic, and may not issue prior restraints on protected speech. Effective May 6, 2026.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Evan J. Vickers
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Stephanie Gricius
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 25 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 63 • No: 0
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 0
House vote • 2/4/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/23/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/10/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/10/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ substituted
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/25/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/25/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/25/2026House/ to standing committee
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/23/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #1
3/2/2026
Introduced
1/5/2026
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