All Roll Calls
Yes: 109 • No: 3
UtahS.B. 2902026 General SessionSenate
Victim and Witness Privacy Amendments
Sponsored By: Heidi Balderree (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Electronic PrivacyTechnologyCriminal ProcedureJudicial OperationsVictims
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Stronger privacy for victims and witnesses
Beginning May 6, 2026, agencies must keep nonpublic victim or witness data in a controlled setting and use it only for law enforcement or prosecution. Nonpublic data held by an agency stays in that agency’s or the court’s custody. Intimate images in that private data are presumed not to be disclosed. If the data is not held by an agency, a defendant can get it only through Rule 14(b)(5) or if the victim or witness gives it voluntarily.
Prosecutors must share electronic evidence details
Beginning May 6, 2026, prosecutors must disclose electronic evidence under Rule 16. They must also tell the defense which devices were received, searched, or downloaded, whether evidence came from them, and where the device came from. Agencies must make reasonable efforts to collect electronic evidence and separate it from other private material.
Limits and help for self-represented defendants
Beginning May 6, 2026, if you represent yourself, you cannot access, view, search, or copy nonpublic victim or witness data. If the court decides a review is needed for a fair case, it appoints a lawyer only to search the data or get copies. That appointment is not a general appearance and does not make the lawyer your full counsel. The appointed lawyer is paid under the Indigent Defense Act, even if you would not normally qualify for appointed counsel.
Secure defense review of private data
Beginning May 6, 2026, agencies work to provide a secure virtual room that blocks copying so defense lawyers can review private victim or witness data. A defense lawyer can ask for a copy under a protective order, virtual-room review, or on-site viewing with reasonable accommodations. While viewing in a virtual room or at the agency, the lawyer may not copy, photograph, or reproduce the data. If the lawyer believes a portion is electronic evidence, they may request a copy of that part. The lawyer can also ask the court for access by showing good cause; the court weighs need, review burden, and victim privacy and safety. If copying is allowed, the order must limit copies, who can view, storage, and disposal at the end of the case.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Heidi Balderree
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Ariel Defay
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 61 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 3
House vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/23/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/10/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/10/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
3/4/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/4/2026House/ to standing committee
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/3/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/3/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #3
3/2/2026
Substitute #2
2/23/2026
Substitute #1
2/20/2026
Introduced
2/12/2026