All Roll Calls
Yes: 116 • No: 1
UtahS.B. 1852026 General SessionSenate
Child Welfare Parental Representation Program Amendments
Sponsored By: Wayne A. Harper (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Health and Human ServicesChild WelfareJudicial OperationsIndigent CounselParental Defense
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Utah strengthens legal support for parents
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah creates a state program to manage parental representation in child welfare cases. The state office must train and advise parents’ lawyers, including lawyers without office contracts. It must support legal services for parents who cannot afford lawyers through Indigent Defense Commission grants, subject to legislative funding. The law provides no new money. The office also runs the Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Program, without the former requirement to hire a qualified person and an independent-contractor attorney. The director’s budget must include administrative expenses and prior-year spending on contracts, the interdisciplinary program, and other program costs. By October 1 each year, the director must report the prior fiscal year’s operations, activities, and goals to the governor and Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Wayne A. Harper
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Rex P. Shipp
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 71 • No: 1
House vote • 2/17/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/9/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/3/2026
Senate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/23/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
2/25/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
2/25/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/22/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
2/22/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/19/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/19/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
2/19/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/19/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/19/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/18/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/18/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/17/2026House/ to standing committee
2/11/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/9/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/9/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/9/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/9/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/9/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/4/2026SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar
2/4/2026SenateSenate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation
2/3/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
2/25/2026
Introduced
1/22/2026