All Roll Calls
Yes: 114 • No: 1
UtahH.B. 3722026 General SessionHouse
Child Welfare Changes
Sponsored By: Karianne Lisonbee (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Abuse, Neglect, or DependencyFamilyHealth and Human ServicesDivision of Child and Family ServicesChild WelfareJudicial OperationsGuardian Ad Litem
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Broader abuse rules and young adult aid
The law widens what counts as child abuse to include sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, human trafficking, and cases where a parent is suspected or prosecuted for killing the other parent. Some young adults can keep help from juvenile court. Ages 18–20 qualify when the court orders DCFS services for past abuse, neglect, dependency, or adjudication. Cases can also stay under juvenile jurisdiction up to age 25 as allowed by law.
Lawyers and hearing rights in juvenile cases
Beginning May 6, 2026, every child in abuse, neglect, or dependency cases gets an attorney guardian ad litem. Parents and guardians have the right to a lawyer and to present evidence; if indigent, the court appoints a defense provider. Everyone entitled to notice can attend and be heard; the court can exclude someone only after an on‑the‑record finding. When a guardian ad litem is appointed, the court must write why it was necessary within seven days.
Statewide guardian ad litem office and oversight
The Judicial Council establishes an Office of Guardian ad Litem and a multi‑member Oversight Committee. The committee appoints a full‑time director, meets at least quarterly, can review case files in closed meetings, and reports by November 1 each year. The director sets statewide policies, training, and evaluations, publishes a practice manual, and hires investigators. Attorneys must be trained and represent a child’s best interests in court and in meetings for child and family plans. In districts 2, 3, and 4, guardian ad litem attorneys must work full time for the program only. Training and policies stress family reunification, kin placements, least‑restrictive options, and keeping siblings together.
Uniform best-interest rules and definitions
Starting May 6, 2026, courts use the same best‑interest rules across child‑welfare and adoption cases. The law aligns the meaning of “expressed interest” and clarifies terms like custody, relative, sibling visitation, and temporary custody. The Attorney General enforces these child‑welfare chapters statewide.
Faster child-death reviews and responses
When a fatality review ends, the committee must send a written report within 20 days to the agency head and regional leaders. Within 60 days of getting the report, the department must send a written response when there was noncompliance, a poor response, recommended changes, or a need for more training. The response must include an action plan approved by the executive director. By September 1 each year, the department must also send each report and its response to legislative counsel and the health committee chairs.
Child-death reviews: openness and privacy rules
Only limited details may be redacted from fatality review reports; most content goes to oversight bodies. Reports and internal review materials remain protected from discovery and are not evidence in court. Legislative reviews happen in closed meetings and are only to consider law changes. By September 1 each year, the department must publish a public executive summary of all formal reviews without names, listing recommendations, changes, training, statistics, and licensing actions. The state also allows public disclosure in child‑fatality or near‑fatality cases when federal CAPTA requires it.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Karianne Lisonbee
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Wayne A. Harper
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 25 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 68 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/18/2026House/ to Governor
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
3/3/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/3/2026Senate/ to standing committee
2/25/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/24/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/23/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ substituted
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ uncircled
2/23/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #5
2/23/2026
Substitute #3
2/19/2026
Substitute #4
2/19/2026
Substitute #2
2/11/2026
Substitute #1
2/10/2026
Introduced
1/26/2026