All Roll Calls
Yes: 148 • No: 39
UtahH.B. 482026 General SessionHouse
Criminal and Juvenile Justice Changes
Sponsored By: Karianne Lisonbee (Republican)
Signed by Governor
JuvenilesCrimesJudicial OperationsJuvenile JusticeLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeBoard of Pardons and ParoleRecidivismCorrectional Facilities
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Custody and prison rules for some minors
Beginning May 6, 2026, if a court finds prison is the right sentence for a minor, the court orders prison and the youth is housed in secure care until age 25 unless the Board releases earlier. This rule applies to minors provisionally housed on or after May 4, 2022. If still held at 25, the Division must transfer the youth to the Department of Corrections as soon as possible and no later than age 25 years and 6 months. A court may send a youth to the Department of Corrections if the youth was 17 at an aggravated murder, is 18 or older at sentencing, and is a security risk in secure care. These commitments count as prison commitments for all sentencing purposes. On a prosecutor’s motion, the Board may review a youth’s status and order a transfer, and the Board must appoint counsel for the youth in that review. The Division must transfer a provisionally housed youth if secure care is unsafe for others or not in the youth’s best interest. Once committed, the Board has parole and related authority over the youth.
Board pays for counsel in hearings
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Board of Pardons and Parole can appoint and pay for a lawyer or lay representative when an offender cannot meaningfully take part in a board hearing because of physical, mental, or other limits. The Board may also appoint counsel, at its expense, for a minor when it agrees to review a prosecutor’s motion about provisional housing.
More evidence-based help for youth
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state supports more evidence‑based programs for youth. The commission sets a timeline so all juvenile programming uses practices shown to cut reoffending and helps train judges, probation, and providers. The courts and the youth services division build performance‑based contracts with incentives, including a premium when a youth completes the full treatment dose within three months, and added focus on youth living at home in rural areas. The state develops and validates a detention risk tool, streamlines data reporting, and creates performance measures. The commission reviews savings from fewer out‑of‑home placements and recommends moving money into local options like crisis teams, youth courts, family therapy, and other community services.
Restitution required and ability-to-pay fines
Beginning May 6, 2026, courts must order restitution when a minor is sentenced, using Utah’s Crime Victims Restitution Act. The state also helps create a statewide sliding scale for juvenile fines, fees, and restitution based on family ability to pay.
Licensing rules for youth shelters
Beginning May 6, 2026, any temporary homeless youth shelter must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services as a residential support program. This sets safety and oversight rules for shelters that house homeless youth.
Standard recidivism measures and reports
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah uses standard recidivism rules in reports: a three‑year default window, and arrests, prison admissions, charges, and convictions count as events. The state also defines an alternative measure that counts jail or prison within three years due to a new arrest or conviction. The commission, Corrections, and the Board must publish the standard metric and any available alternative. Any agency reporting adult recidivism must clearly describe who was counted, the study period, and which events trigger recidivism.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Karianne Lisonbee
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Kirk A. Cullimore
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 52 • No: 15
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 20 • No: 7
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 2
House vote • 2/17/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 56 • No: 14
House vote • 2/10/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/2/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 2/2/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2026House/ 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
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ floor amendment
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ floor amendment
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ circled
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/25/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Amended 3/5/2026 11:03:237
3/5/2026
Substitute #5
3/4/2026
Substitute #4
2/27/2026
Substitute #3
2/17/2026
Substitute #2
2/5/2026
Substitute #1
1/30/2026
Introduced
12/19/2025