All Roll Calls
Yes: 107 • No: 0
UtahH.B. 2242025 General SessionHouseWALLET
Inmate Reentry, Finances, and Debt Modifications
Sponsored By: Melissa G. Ballard (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Child SupportHealth and Human ServicesChild WelfareDepartment of CorrectionsLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeInmatesProbationState Tax CommissionParoleCorrectional Facilities
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Child support pauses for incarcerated parents
Utah child support orders and related money judgments automatically drop to zero for qualifying incarceration lasting at least 90 consecutive days. This applies only to incarceration beginning on or after January 1, 2027. Criminal nonpayment of child support and offenses against the payer’s child or the child’s custodial parent are excluded. Probation, parole, and work release do not count. The Office of Recovery Services dates the suspension back to the first full month after required parties received notice. It credits collections during the suspension against the balance, unless the money was already distributed; distributed money cannot be recovered. Payments restart on the first day of the first full month after 90 days have passed since release. This lowers the payer’s obligation but can reduce support for the child’s household. Separately, since May 7, 2025, the office cannot treat 90-day incarceration as voluntary unemployment when setting or changing support. That rule covers custody where outside employment is unavailable, excludes probation, parole, and work release, and sets no support amount itself.
Coordinated reentry help for returning inmates
The Department of Corrections’ reentry division must coordinate services for inmates returning to the community. Services include risk-and-needs screening, personal plans, case management, treatment, education, and job preparation. Release planning must connect with community support services and partnerships. Staff may coordinate with specific family members or friends only with the inmate’s permission.
Debt interest pauses for incarcerated people
Beginning January 1, 2027, the Office of State Debt Collection must stop interest on covered state debts after receiving an incarceration notice. The notice must come from a county jail or the Department of Corrections. The rule covers people incarcerated for at least 90 consecutive days. Interest stays paused during incarceration and for 180 days after release. Accounts containing restitution are excluded, as are debts where another law or court order bars a pause.
Inmates get clearer debt account information
The Department of Corrections must make account statements available at least every two weeks to inmates with qualifying accounts. Statements must list known debts, explain debt-payment incentives, and show how to find debt details and money-management resources. Former inmates can request statements through their parole officers, but the department does not have to provide them. The department must periodically offer people designated by inmates financial education about incentives for repaying debts during incarceration. With the inmate’s consent, it may also share account balances and known debts with those people; sharing is not required.
Jails and prisons must report incarceration
Beginning January 1, 2027, county jails must report inmates within five business days after 90 consecutive days of incarceration. State prisons must report within 15 days after 90 consecutive days in prison. Notices go to the Office of State Debt Collection, State Tax Commission, and Office of Recovery Services. They include identifying information, incarceration dates, and whether custody involves criminal support nonpayment or offenses against the inmate’s child or custodial parent. An initial notice is unnecessary if another authorized entity already notified the agencies. Jails must report release within five business days after custody lasting more than 90 consecutive days, except transfers for continued incarceration. The Department of Corrections must report release dates within 15 days after release.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Melissa G. Ballard
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Michael K. McKell
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2025
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2025
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 69 • No: 0
House vote • 2/6/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2025House/ to Governor
3/12/2025HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2025HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/7/2025HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/7/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2025Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2025House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2025HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/26/2025SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/26/2025SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/25/2025SenateSenate/ to standing committee
2/20/2025SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/19/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
2/18/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/18/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/18/2025HouseHouse/ uncircled
2/18/2025HouseHouse/ circled
2/18/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/7/2025
Substitute #2
1/29/2025
Substitute #1
1/21/2025
Introduced
1/15/2025