2022 General Legislative Session

Below is information on the outcome of the bills UBJJ was closely following during the 2022 legislative session.

General Overview

Go HERE for list of bills that UBJJ weighed in on.


Position Definitions

  • SUP = Support

  • S/C = Support in Concept

  • OPP = Oppose

  • HOLD = Hold for Further Review/Information

  • PRI = Priority for Passage

  • Asterisk = Position was taken without a quorum vote

UBJJ Policy Priority: School Resource Officers & School Discipline

  • HB042 (Passed) - Extends sunset on referring youth to court for truancy and C misdemeanors (school-based) until July 1, 2027.


  • HB170 (Didn't pass) - Would have allowed a school board to levy a tax to fund school resource officers.


  • HB428 (Passed) - Requires USBE to add certain bullying/hazing, civil rights, and disabilities training to curriculum for school administrators; Requires the USBE discipline annual report to include "the demographics of an individual who is subject to... bullying, hazing, cyber-bullying, or retaliation," listed by school district; Requires school districts to review information on harassment and discrimination within their schools, adopt a plan for harassment- and discrimination-free learning, and report to USBE on the plan.

UBJJ Policy Priority: Juvenile System Fines & Fees

  • HB392 (Passed) - Suspends fees related to expungement until June 30, 2023; Requires the Courts to report annual data on expungement.


  • SB120 (Didn't pass) - Would have reduced/eliminated Juvenile Court fines and fees. Will likely be an interim study item.

UBJJ Policy Priority: Anti-discrimination & Student Equity

  • HB011 (Passed, expected to be vetoed) - Imposes limits/standards on transgender youth athletes.


  • HB030 (Passed) - Allows a student who is enrolled, or is eligible to be enrolled, as a member of a tribe to wear tribal regalia during a high school graduation ceremony; Prohibits a school district from disallowing a qualified student from wearing tribal regalia during a high school graduation ceremony.


  • SB117 (Didn't pass) - CROWN Act bill; Would have amended the Utah Antidiscrimination Act to provide protection for a trait historically associated with race, including a protective hairstyle.


  • SB244 (Passed) - Requires ethnic studies in public schools.

Other JJ-related Bills

  • HB018 (Passed) - Restricts the offense of aggravated unlawful distribution of a counterfeit intimate image to individuals 18 years old and older. UBJJ actively worked on this bill!


  • HB055 (Passed) - Allows those terminated from JJS custody to receive voluntary services (if needed) up to age 25.


  • HB126 (Passed) - Directs JJS to further develop rules, policies, and procedures to better detect, report, and prevent sexual assault.


  • HB138 (Passed) - Allows for juveniles with prison commitments to be housed at JJS until the age of 25, unless a safety or security risk exists.


  • HB171 (Passed) - Prohibits the use of deception in law enforcement interrogations with a minor.


  • HB179 (Didn't pass) - Related to juvenile record expungement. Will likely be an interim study item.


  • HB248 & HB249 (Passed, both) - DCFS recodification bills.


  • HB277 (Passed) - Brings the juvenile competency attainment code in line with other statute/rule changes regarding youth interrogation standards. Extends privilege of forensic evaluation process to attainment process.


  • HB299 (Passed) - Cleanup from the first part of juvenile recodification that was undertaken last year, including a few additional items elevated and worked on by members of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee.

      • Allows all youth in high school (including those that are 18) that commit a school-based offense on school property to get the benefits of diversion offered by Juvenile Court.

      • Allows youth in JJS custody to “step down” to a family-based setting if release to family or independent living is not feasible.

      • Provides guidelines on medical consent for those youth entering detention.


  • SB112 (Didn't pass) - Would have authorized a district attorney's office in a county of the first class to establish and operate a juvenile restorative justice pilot program.