All Roll Calls
Yes: 131 • No: 0
UtahH.B. 1032026 General SessionHouse
Underage Marriage Amendments
Sponsored By: Melissa G. Ballard (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Marriage/DivorceFraudCrimesLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeStatute of Limitations
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Utah limits recognition of minor marriages
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah generally treats marriages performed outside Utah as invalid if either person was under 18. An exception requires the minor to have been 16 or 17, with an age gap no greater than four years. The minor must have had parent or guardian consent and chosen to marry freely. A court must also have given written approval before the marriage. These safeguards restrict which marriages have legal status in Utah.
Felony penalties target illegal minor marriages
Beginning May 6, 2026, adults face third-degree felony charges for unlawful marriages with minors in Utah. Required safeguards include parent or guardian consent and court approval; courts cannot approve age gaps over four years. The same felony applies to knowingly taking a Utah-resident minor outside Utah for a marriage Utah considers invalid, then returning them. Utah-resident adults also face this felony for knowingly traveling outside Utah to marry a minor, then bringing them into Utah. The travel offenses cover arranging someone else's transport of the minor and add criminal protections against illegal minor marriages.
Longer prosecution windows for illegal minor marriages
Beginning May 6, 2026, prosecutors have 15 years after the minor turns 18 to start cases for three marriage offenses. These cover unlawfully marrying a minor and the offenses involving transporting minors or traveling outside Utah to marry them. DNA identification can allow prosecution beyond ordinary deadlines. When DNA confirms identity after the ordinary deadline has passed, prosecution must begin within four years of confirmation. The extensions do not reopen cases whose deadlines had expired by May 5, 2003, with no charges filed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Melissa G. Ballard
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Todd Weiler
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 29 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 69 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2026House/ to Governor
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/10/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/10/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/3/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/25/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/25/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/24/2026Senate/ to standing committee
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/3/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/3/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/3/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/3/2026HouseHouse/ substituted
2/3/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/3/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #1
1/26/2026
Introduced
12/29/2025