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