All Roll Calls
Yes: 110 • No: 1
UtahH.B. 4542026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Public Assistance Fraud Amendments
Sponsored By: Ryan D. Wilcox (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Unemployment InsurancePublic AssistanceDepartment of Workforce ServicesWorkforce ServicesLaw Enforcement and Criminal Justice
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Assistance fraud counts toward crime patterns
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah adds fraud by assistance application helpers to its list of unlawful activities. The list also includes fraud involving getting or using public assistance. A qualifying crime pattern requires at least three related episodes that are not isolated and show continuing unlawful conduct. The most recent act must occur within five years of the previous act. The law also updates offense references covering dog fighting, gangs, exploitation of minors, prostitution, gambling, fraud, weapons, money laundering, contraband compartments, tax violations, and specified federal crimes. These reference changes update the scope of the existing law rather than create separate new offenses.
Broader fraud penalties for assistance recipients
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah law covers more kinds of public assistance fraud. Recipients generally must report changes in important facts within 10 days, unless a reporting exception applies. Workforce Services and Health and Human Services recipients must disclose important changes at their next review or recertification, whichever comes first. Recipients must also report income or resources above previously reported amounts within 10 days. The law covers intentional, knowing, or reckless unlawful use, transfer, purchase, trafficking, falsification, or possession of SNAP benefits and assistance cards or payment documents. It also covers clients or providers hiding important facts to obtain improper payments and people receiving unauthorized benefits through specified unlawful acts. Related fraud amounts must be added together, and repayment does not prevent prosecution. SNAP trafficking incidents involving a person or their coconspirators within six months count as a related series. Value means the assistance received, measured using the usual private-sector charge for similar benefits. Penalties are a class B misdemeanor below $500; a class A misdemeanor from $500 to under $1,500; a third-degree felony from $1,500 to under $5,000; and a second-degree felony at $5,000 or more.
New fraud penalties for application helpers
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah creates a fraud offense for people helping complete public assistance applications. It covers knowingly giving false information about required important facts, hiding those facts, or directing applicants to do either. The helper must act to obtain assistance they know the applicant is not entitled to receive. Penalties are a class B misdemeanor below $500; a class A misdemeanor from $500 to under $1,500; a third-degree felony from $1,500 to under $5,000; and a second-degree felony at $5,000 or more. This offense targets application helpers, not applicants generally.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ryan D. Wilcox
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brady Brammer
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 24 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 66 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/24/2026House/ 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
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar
3/3/2026SenateSenate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation
3/2/2026Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/2/2026Senate/ 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/ uncircled
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ circled
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/23/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Introduced
2/2/2026