What passed (and didn’t pass) during Utah’s 2021 legislative general session | Utah Legislature

Utah state law passed 503 bills during this year’s general assembly, which ended March 5.

From bill regulating Utah’s “troubled teenage” industry to limiting the executive’s emergency powers during a public health crisis, here’s a look at what has passed this year – and what has not.

COVID-19 and emergency power

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 86, revising the Utah Emergency Price Control Act to create a “higher standard of evidence” for complaints about price cuts.

Legislators also passed SB 195, a law that restricts the powers of the executive branch in “long-term emergencies” and “reviews comprehensive, restrictive orders from public health officials”.

Meanwhile, on April 10, House Bill 294 canceled Utah’s statewide mask mandate.

Regulating Industry in Utah

Utah lawmakers passed several bills to adjust regulatory measures across industries. One such bill is SB 127, which increases oversight in youth home treatment centers in Utah. It was one of the most talked about bills at this session.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, was backed by Paris Hilton, who testified before a Senate committee in February that she was molested as a teenager at Provo Canyon School. The bill prohibits peer restraint, searching for streaks and cavities, abuse, neglect, and repetitive exercise. A child must be “in an uncomfortable position” and “discipline and punishment designed to frighten or humiliate”.

Legislators also passed Provo Sen. Curt Bramble’s SB 87, a bill that creates a license exemption for a beautician who “dries, styles, arranges, dresses, curls, hot irons, shampoos, or grooms hair” but does not cut hair or applying dyes or reactive chemicals.

The law, which was heavily opposed by the Utah cosmetics industry, requires unlicensed stylists to obtain hair safety approval by completing a two-hour hair safety program.

Another bill, House Bill 15, jointly sponsored by Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful, and Senator Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine, requires medical providers to review the controlled substance database to see if a Patient “has received a high risk prescription that is currently active” before prescribing opiates or benzodiazepines.

Reform of the criminal justice system

Utah lawmakers passed several criminal justice reform measures at this session, including McKell’s SB 124, which blocks the parole for convicted murderers who do not work with law enforcement to recover the remains of victims.

The bill was inspired by the disappearance of Kiplyn Davis, a 15-year-old who went missing in 1995 and whose body was never recovered.

At a parole hearing earlier this week, Timmy Brent Olsen, who pleaded guilty in February 2011 of second degree manslaughter for his role in the killing of Davis, refused to speak about the case or answer questions about where it was Davis’ remains could be found. As of Friday, the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole had not decided whether Olsen should be paroled.

Another bill, HB 220, repeals most of a recently enacted bail reform bill that allows judges to release pre-trial suspects who are at low risk of escaping prosecution and who are only in jail because they cannot afford a bail.

Several defense attorneys and prosecutors, including Utah District Attorney David Leavitt, criticized the bill, saying it would harm low-income Utahns.

In addition, lawmakers passed a handful of bills on the use of force, including a bill banning police from shooting someone who committed suicide but poses no threat to others and another asking law enforcement officers to file a report after they pointed a gun or taser at someone.

Tax relief

Despite the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers approved approximately $ 100 million in tax breaks for families, veterans, and elderly Utahns, including a bill providing for a non-refundable tax credit for military retirement benefits and a bill on Restoration of part of the dependent tax exemption, which was reduced in 2017.

Another approved bill removes income tax on some social security incomes to help seniors living on steady incomes.

Task Forces and State Monuments

Utah lawmakers have passed several laws aimed at examining points for future action, including a concurrent resolution sponsored by Rep. Keven Stratton, R-Orem, that “encourages the Department of Parks and Recreation to consider options for designation of the Bridal Veil Falls area to be assessed as a state monument or a state park. “

Stratton also sponsored a bill requiring the Department of Natural Resources to “investigate and make recommendations” on radon gas.

Another bill, SB 48, sponsored by Senator Dan McCay, R-Riverton, sets up a state flag task force to investigate whether Utah should adopt a new state flag. The bill also provides for a commemorative flag, an idea pushed by the Provo-based organization for a new flag in Utah.

What did not pass

A number of bills failed this year’s legislature, including a bill that would have banned doctors from prescribing hormone therapy or performing sex reassignment surgery on minors.

Another bill, HB 302, which would have banned transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports, failed after Governor Spencer Cox said he would not sign it.

Legislature also opposed HB 364, a bill created by the Utah Lake Authority, a body that manages water quality on Utah Lake and would have replaced the Utah Lake Commission.

Connor Richards covers government, environmental, and South Utah County for the Daily Herald. He can be reached at [email protected] and 801-344-2599.