All Roll Calls
Yes: 163 • No: 16
UtahH.B. 5392026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Public Safety Modifications
Sponsored By: Matt MacPherson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Domestic ViolenceCrimesJudicial OperationsLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeVictimsBail/Pretrial DetentionProtective Orders/Stalking Injuctions
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 7 mixed.
More abuse survivors qualify for reduced charges
The law expands abuse-based mitigation to cases between minors and their parents, stepparents, or a parent's live-in partner acting as a stepparent. It reduces an offense by one level when the defendant proves the required facts by clear and convincing evidence. The otherwise unjustified offense must target a cohabitant whose pattern of abuse harmed the defendant or another cohabitant. The defendant must reasonably believe the offense was needed to end that abuse and notify prosecutors at least 30 days before trial. In jury trials, jurors must agree unanimously and return a special verdict.
Child safety rules preserve some parent contact
An arrested or cited parent or guardian cannot waive jail-release conditions for a child who is the alleged victim. Waiving limits on contact or entry onto the child's home premises needs court approval in three cases. These are alleged bodily injury, seeking or trying to seek emergency aid, or disclosing a threat of bodily injury. Separately, release terms cannot bar parent-child communication solely for domestic violence in the child's presence when neither the child nor the child's parent or guardian is the alleged victim.
Workplace violence protections cover nonprofit volunteers
Beginning May 6, 2026, workplace violence protective-order rules cover unpaid nonprofit volunteers while they donate services. Coverage allows reasonable expense payments, but not pay or other compensation. Orders can prohibit threats against volunteers and be extended when workplace violence against an employee or volunteer is substantially likely. Extensions cannot run beyond 18 months from the original order. These rules do not make a volunteer the nonprofit's legal agent.
Companion laws change domestic violence coverage
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law ties specified domestic violence offense-list changes to H.B. 221 also becoming law. Disorderly conduct qualifies only through a plea agreement following an originally qualifying charge. That disposition must not count as a federal misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. A separate change depends on H.B. 90 also becoming law and excludes specified class B or C misdemeanors between cohabitants. Those exclusions cover vulnerable-adult abuse, personal dignity exploitation, and financial exploitation.
Courts can deny domestic violence bail
Courts can deny bail for domestic violence when substantial evidence supports the charge. After considering release conditions, courts must find clear and convincing evidence of substantial danger to the alleged victim or community. A presumption of danger applies to felony or class A misdemeanor charges committed during specified domestic violence supervision. This means parole or probation for a domestic violence conviction, or pretrial release for an earlier domestic violence charge. The accused can challenge that presumption.
Family ties change protective order access
For protective orders, the cohabitant definition includes a sibling, stepsibling, or foster sibling who is at least 18. It excludes parent-child relationships when the child is a minor, including stepparent and foster-parent relationships. It also excludes a child when the other party is a sibling, stepsibling, or foster sibling under 18. The law also adds orders issued under Utah Code Subsection 78B-7-804(3) to the protective-order definition.
More offenses trigger jail release safeguards
Jail-release safeguards cover qualifying stalking and sexual offenses, along with domestic violence and other covered offenses. Before release, the arrested or cited person cannot contact the alleged victim. Release requires a signed jail-release agreement or a magistrate's review with a required order or agreement in place. These rules generally exclude arrested minors under 18 unless the offense is domestic violence. Agreements and orders expire at the earliest of midnight after the initial appearance, prosecutor declination, or 30 days after arrest or citation.
New deadlines for domestic violence cases
People arrested for domestic violence must reach a magistrate without unnecessary delay for a probable-cause decision. This replaces the required in-person or video appearance within one judicial day. When police have probable cause, the investigating agency must send the charge to prosecutors within five business days after the offense. The agency can delay submission when it has reasonable cause.
Related charges can share one trial
Related offenses can be tried in any county or precinct within the judicial district where they occurred. The offenses must qualify for a joint trial, and affected prosecutors must consent to the location. Trial within that district is required when the law's single-episode prosecution requirements apply. Separate trials are generally barred when one court has authority and proper venue, and prosecutors knew the charges at the first arraignment. A judge can still order separate trials to promote justice.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Matt MacPherson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brady Brammer
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 19 • No: 6
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 53 • No: 10
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 66 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2026House/ to Governor
3/17/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/17/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/11/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/11/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/11/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ circled
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ circled
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/6/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #4
3/6/2026
Substitute #3
2/24/2026
Substitute #2
2/19/2026
Substitute #1
2/17/2026
Introduced
2/10/2026