UtahH.B. 2212026 General SessionHouseWALLET

Coercion Amendments

Sponsored By: Ryan D. Wilcox (Republican)

Signed by Governor

CourtsCrimesLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeSexual OffensesSuicidePublic SafetyFines

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Mandatory fines for sexual extortion convictions

Beginning May 6, 2026, adults convicted of sexual extortion face a minimum $5,000 fine. The law also creates aggravated sexual extortion, requiring a listed aggravating fact to be charged and admitted or found true. Examples include force or threats, specified injury, a special-trust relationship, penetration, or a child or vulnerable-adult victim. For adults, a child or vulnerable-adult victim means a first-degree felony and at least a $20,000 fine. The same penalty applies when an adult victim who is not vulnerable suffers the injury specified by law. Other listed aggravators involving an adult victim who is not vulnerable mean a second-degree felony and at least $10,000. A child actor commits a third-degree felony when more than two years apart in age from the victim. Courts cannot waive or suspend the applicable minimum fines.

Registry removal path for extortion registrants

Beginning May 6, 2026, sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion join the offenses eligible for a registry-removal petition after 10 years. This applies to people subject to a 10-year registration period who meet the existing requirements for removal petitions. Filing a petition does not guarantee removal from Utah's sex-offender registry.

Longer supervision possible for some juveniles

Beginning May 6, 2026, usual supervision limits do not apply to minors adjudicated for aiding or encouraging suicide. This removes the covered time limits and termination rules for probation or commitment supervision. For juveniles placed in secure care for this offense, usual presumptive-term and parole-release rules also do not apply. The law sets no replacement supervision length, secure-care term, or parole schedule.

More investigations qualify as cold cases

Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah expands the crimes eligible for its statewide cold-case database. Missing-person investigations also qualify. A covered investigation must remain unsolved for at least three years after the crime or disappearance. The change expands which unresolved cases law enforcement includes in the database.

Sexual extortion gains broader enforcement tools

Beginning May 6, 2026, sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion count as domestic violence between cohabitants. Attempts to commit either offense are included. This brings qualifying victims within domestic-violence laws and related processes. Aggravated sexual extortion also becomes a crime that can support a racketeering case.

School staff train on sexual extortion

Beginning May 6, 2026, local education agencies must include sexual-extortion response in school staff training. This is part of child sexual abuse and human-trafficking prevention training, provided once every three years. Training includes connecting victims with support services. The state education board must approve the materials.

New felony for aiding suicide

Beginning May 6, 2026, intentionally aiding someone known to intend suicide or an attempt is a separate second-degree felony, not manslaughter. The law also covers intentional encouragement on at least four separate occasions when the person dies by suicide or attempts suicide. That encouragement must involve reckless disregard for imminently causing suicide or an attempt after the fourth or later encouragement. Conviction carries a fine of at least $10,000 that courts cannot waive or suspend. Prosecutors can bring charges at any time. Medical treatment and pain relief remain protected unless a practitioner knowingly provides medication or a procedure to aid suicide. Courts must consider a position of trust with the victim when sentencing for manslaughter or this new crime. The parole board must also consider that factor when deciding imprisonment for the new crime.

Broader image protections with deletion safeguards

Beginning May 6, 2026, sexual extortion includes refusing to delete an intimate image, including a fake one, or remove or retract one shared through an account the person manages. The request must come from the victim or someone acting at the victim's direction. Refusal alone is not enough: it must involve intent to coerce sexual conduct or image production, obtain something valuable, or force unwanted action or inaction. A narrow exception protects discussions about mutually deleting images received with consent. Neither person may threaten to share the images, and nothing else may be exchanged or required beyond mutual deletion or removal.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Ryan D. Wilcox
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Calvin R. Musselman
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 141 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 27 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

Senate/ uncircled

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd reading

Yes: 26 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Senate/ circled

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 62 • No: 0

House vote • 2/11/2026

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 10 • No: 0