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
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More legal help for parents in child welfare cases
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah runs a Child Welfare Parental Representation Program. It helps parents in child welfare cases get a lawyer, especially low‑income parents. The office can support indigent parental defense through the Indigent Defense Commission’s grant process if the Legislature funds it. To get grant‑supported help, you must meet the commission’s indigency rules.
State office must run and train parent defense program
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state office must run and enforce the parental representation program. It manages operations and the budget and administers the Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Program. The office must train parental representation lawyers and give guidance so they meet professional and ethical duties. These are agency duties and do not add new rules for parents.
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
House vote • 2/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
Senate Comm - Consent Calendar 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