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
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Children’s lawyers must explain independent recommendations
Guardians ad litem must base best-interest recommendations on direct knowledge and an independent, personal investigation. Program directors and managing attorneys cannot dictate a lawyer’s position or recommendation. When a lawyer makes a best-interest recommendation at a hearing, the court must require an explanation. That explanation must cover investigative activities, sources, and the factors behind the recommendation.
Clearer rules for appointing children’s lawyers
Courts must consider a child’s best interests under Utah’s child welfare standards when deciding whether to appoint a guardian ad litem. Within seven days after appointment, the court must make a finding explaining why the appointment is needed. Siblings in the same case may share one attorney guardian ad litem only when there is no conflict. Courts are not required to appoint a shared lawyer.
Consistent standards for children’s best interests
Best-interest decisions in covered guardian ad litem matters must follow Utah Code Sections 80-2a-201 and 80-4-104. Other Title 80 rules apply only when consistent with those sections. Beginning May 6, 2026, courts must use the same standards in covered child welfare, parental-rights, and adoption proceedings.
Fewer redactions in child death reviews
Utah’s health department can redact only specified identifying details from covered child fatality review reports and responses. These are information identifying the person who made the referral, and other individuals’ surnames and addresses. Covered responses address noncompliance, improper responses to deaths or near deaths, recommended changes, or training needs. Qualifying responses go to legislative research staff within 60 days. Annual reports and responses go to designated legislative recipients by September 1, including the child welfare oversight panel for specified categories of individuals.
More voice and protections for children
When a child’s wishes differ from the guardian ad litem’s view, the lawyer must explain that view to the child and court. The lawyer must share the child’s wishes unless the child requests privacy or expresses no wishes; the court may consider them. At every hearing, the lawyer must report whether the child expressed a wish to attend and the latest contact date. Contact can be in person, by phone, video, writing, or through an assigned trained volunteer. Children may directly ask the court for a different appointed lawyer for good cause; the court decides. Lawyers must answer case-related discovery requests, but children cannot face formal written questions, requests to admit facts, or depositions.
Children’s representation starts after court appointment
In abuse, neglect, or dependency cases, a guardian ad litem’s representation begins after the court appoints the attorney. This replaces the earlier start point: the child’s removal from home or the petition filing, whichever came first. This provision sets no new appointment deadline.
Children’s lawyers get revised investigation duties
Guardians ad litem must independently investigate children’s situations, needs, and wishes. For current or possible placements outside the home, they must learn children’s placement goals and concerns when possible and not harmful. The law removes their specific duty to assess, or supervise an assessment of, each placement’s safety and suitability. When a child and family plan is required, attorneys must assess whether court-ordered services meet their goals, rather than merely try. Required court filings must advance court orders and established goals, replacing filings to advance the attorney’s own best-interest position.
Closer oversight of lawyers representing children
A new committee oversees Utah’s guardian ad litem program, which provides lawyers to represent children’s best interests. It meets at least quarterly, reviews random cases yearly, can replace the director, and reports to judicial and legislative overseers by November 1. The director must evaluate lawyers and report on training, audits, child contacts, and children served. The committee can access all program records, including confidential case files, but case discussions must be closed and records retain their privacy protections. Members receive no pay or benefits, but may receive per diem and travel reimbursement.
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
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 68 • 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/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 1
House vote • 2/11/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
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