[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6364227,"mediaKeyId","2165115-7a62a32d9498b73572d1e9c15f635299","parentId",2165115,"title","Committee unanimously backs bill removing civil time limits for certain offenses against children","audioSeconds",1024,"startMs",3404150,"endMs",4428989,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165115-7a62a32d9498b73572d1e9c15f635299&start=3404&end=4428","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165115-7a62a32d9498b73572d1e9c15f635299/thumbnail_3404150.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6364227/Utah/Committee-unanimously-backs-bill-removing-civil-time-limits-for-certain-offenses-against-children","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364227-1b191c1f8a5990538947714fc2291975/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112186&Signature=n91o4OTOEok2Bm2FS8NloXYT1pO9lNtLnGhyKkBD4wWzncL2k51LTo1J0-nadOJt9OU8-afmWj1svbtoO4pLdEBqcWCfA4WRNDAq6sWUHn5BzpZvaaRyRJQDJCByvBR~yUYszw1hfc5g-AIPbHbZep0rrWVRRF~9K6z~0mHQ4tqHD96QW-eeO2so-sdAkD4bs35b40oEmbziDbaDFnerLBC9gKGrsPJh2xvtew8wUV-DOJQ6pkP~oubfAKbdJlp0tFmxzwEY4~ZtWg9Z42Ven2N0V7EouWeNobXPSzzGMmRi53PCdyGKQp~1Q2V5FUCrgytKbpwkPPrfqwDXuiwnVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Ivory presented HB 117, explaining the bill extends the 2015 reform that eliminated the civil statute of limitations for certain offenses against children and aligns several other related offenses with that standard.

\"In 2015 with House Bill 277, we eliminated the statute of limitations for [child abuse] crimes,\" Representative Ivory said, adding HB 117 \"conforms all of these various actions that amount to [child abuse] of a child and eliminates the statute of limitations as well on those.\" He told the committee the change is narrowly focused on civil causes of action and does not alter burdens of proof.

Ivory discussed trauma-informed reasons for the change, noting research that survivors often disclose decades after abuse; the sponsor said the average age of disclosure has historically been cited near 42. Public testimony included survivors and victim-service professionals who urged the committee to remove the time bar so survivors could seek civil remedies when they are ready.

Melaine Webster, a survivor who testified, described delayed disclosure and long-term consequences including mental-health diagnoses and substance-related treatment; she said removing civil time limits would give survivors the choice to pursue legal remedies when they are able. Marlise Jones, director of the Victim Services Commission, said the commission took a priority support position and cited research showing average disclosure ages as high as 52 in recent studies.

Representative Thompson moved adoption of Amendment 1 to HB 117; the committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and then voted unanimously to favorably recommend HB 117 as amended to the full House.

The sponsor said the bill preserves plaintiffs' burdens of proof and applies only to civil claims; committee members and public witnesses emphasized trauma-informed rationale and the goal of shifting financial responsibility for certain recovery costs toward perpetrators through civil remedies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Judiciary Committee - January 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Judiciary Committee unanimously favorably recommended HB 117, which conforms multiple offenses to prior legislation that eliminated the civil statute of limitations for certain child-abuse offenses and moves related code provisions into the updated statutory section.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364231,"Committee advances bill letting adult adoptees request original birth records without court petition",2315,1064655,3380250,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165115-7a62a32d9498b73572d1e9c15f635299&start=1064&end=3380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165115-7a62a32d9498b73572d1e9c15f635299/thumbnail_1064655.jpg","/articles/6364231/Utah/Committee-advances-bill-letting-adult-adoptees-request-original-birth-records-without-court-petition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364231-d60754f809a628dcb8e4baba231a2977/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112186&Signature=UsLattXMbWn5gJJ6cJjcPds38pRVn027V6wx1AnSWEGpF7nyH7S5W0L2Djr~5Rn1Hyowbxl5eLdj6UHxg3Xtg15jgJfIziZ6xm2CBzxjBL6fbR7b~g4SiCanUek2QgmTtns4uthDZ7rpoM8RsgBcIeqgNWBOBGTY9aRekn8imVf1vQmuJ5H05vVQyAp8UwMWs7JwXI7vFL4d7VfpuYp5UmUwADlKhHWZT7F4gJB0ifFIFPnIpY7jXss~lW5bbtorRBdZC1aVbROmxZhPNqlcYjDuZBBM-qUbNUS7EMsNNYt21GIPT-Ke3y1pCG-1X5XI9RIpFBGmpOdwicjN0cuHzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Ward, sponsor of HB 129, told the committee the bill would simplify access for adult adoptees to obtain their original birth certificates without the current requirement to show \"good cause\" in court.

\"The first reason we should do that is it belongs to them,\" Representative Ward said, arguing that an original birth record is an adult adoptee's personal record and that access helps with medical history and personal identity.

Ward described a recent Utah Supreme Court case that remanded a lower-court denial back to district court because the judge had not adequately balanced an adoptee's interest against a birth parent's privacy. The sponsor said the bill would remove the need for repeated litigation by allowing adult adoptees to request their original birth certificates directly.

Committee members debated the balance between birth-parent privacy and adoptees' interest. Representative Grant Miller asked about the policy rationale for the status quo; Ward replied historical stigma and prior practices motivated sealed records. Representative Ocasio and others raised concerns about unintended contact and the potential impact on birth parents and their families; Ward and supporters said birth parents can still refuse contact but an adult's claim to their own record should be recognized.

Multiple public witnesses and organizations supported the bill. David Pedrazos, the attorney in the Supreme Court case Ward referenced, said the statute already emphasizes the adoptee's best interest and described his 45-year-old client seeking medical information. Melinda Fitt, a birth mother who relinquished a child in 1993, said she supports the bill and called sealed records \"a myth\" in the age of DNA databases. Martin Munoz (Voices for Utah Children) and other advocates urged committee approval.

Representative Acton moved to favorably recommend HB 129; the committee approved the bill and then took a roll-call vote. The chair announced the motion passed 8 to 1, with Representative Ochsier voting no. The committee advanced the bill to the House for further consideration.

The hearing record shows substantial public testimony in support and a committee discussion that sought to weigh adoptee autonomy against birth-parent privacy and possible family impacts. Several legislators said they were open to technical tweaks as the bill proceeds to the floor.","The Judiciary Committee favorably recommended HB 129 to allow adult adoptees to obtain their original birth certificates without first showing \"good cause\" in court; debate centered on balancing adoptee access and birth-parent privacy.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364236,"Committee adopts substitute to extend employer liability protections for hiring people reentering workforce",633,409915,1043664,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165115-7a62a32d9498b73572d1e9c15f635299&start=409&end=1043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165115-7a62a32d9498b73572d1e9c15f635299/thumbnail_409915.jpg","/articles/6364236/Utah/Committee-adopts-substitute-to-extend-employer-liability-protections-for-hiring-people-reentering-workforce","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364236-d72bce14fbfbb09d193f03bbcefc4ba5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112186&Signature=EkSMjxznmvc58rx3WqhJChomm7Jlo0CDrePhoSEBT7oMf~9jNLhrj~I0Kvg1H6KJ9uozyUEpLeXriFqG0UKkqeKGEMVv0GhqnFn-tetcU~ieNRoFSAwRrmElETjSawQBw9TQ2X2dXgukcK~bGGGCWe8KA9Y-N9kTlWHqv-ufxc5333asmk4Ii4Xcbkb~s1skv35E7OjcBK-4k9Ob2mZgAJRdeMgA60FEf5joVn~koF6SqgHHdUv7EKk-cX4VQAyUHxqIiAe2jYtMBTDKY7hMgaqVw1Da78mPwiS~6YHasf718h9fNvxsokTgStgX2MVEZou3ymhodO8Bsq3sbY~IkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Coeffort presented HB 24, a committee bill that removes the sunset and refines liability limits for employers hiring people reentering the workforce.

\"This was a committee bill over interim to address the sunset clause and to extend the limitations of liability for employers who are hiring people reentering our workforce,\" Representative Coeffort said, describing added definitions and guardrails to help employers make hiring decisions.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the scope of vehicle-related offenses carved out from liability protection. Representative Thompson asked whether the employer liability exception for vehicle-related crimes applied to misdemeanors or felonies; Representative Coeffort and other committee members answered that the carve-out is intended to be narrow and to apply to felony-level offenses, including felony DUI and similar severe offenses. Representative Abbott noted the substitute language also includes a limited carve-out for repeated reckless-driving misdemeanors (three counts).

Public testimony included the Utah Department of Corrections, represented by Glenn Mills, who said the department supports the bill as striking a balance between public safety and reentry opportunities; Dan Strong of the Sentencing Commission similarly said the bill \"strikes that balance well,\" and Kate Bradshaw of the Utah Food Industry Association and Utah Retail Merchants Association said the associations support the substitute.

Representative Lou Bey moved to adopt the first substitute for HB 24, and the committee adopted it by voice vote. Representative Labbe then moved to favorably recommend the first substitute to the House floor; the committee took a voice vote and the chair announced adoption of the substitute and favorable recommendation.

Sponsors and stakeholders described the measure as intended to help address workforce shortages by giving employers more certainty while preserving narrow exceptions for public-safety concerns.","The Judiciary Committee adopted a first substitute and favorably recommended HB 24, extending and clarifying liability limits for employers who hire people reentering the workforce while carving out certain vehicle-related offenses.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364241,"Committee advances HB 297 to clarify expungement process, protect access to protective orders",348,52985,401055,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165115-7a62a32d9498b73572d1e9c15f635299&start=52&end=401","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165115-7a62a32d9498b73572d1e9c15f635299/thumbnail_52985.jpg","/articles/6364241/Utah/Committee-advances-HB-297-to-clarify-expungement-process-protect-access-to-protective-orders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364241-cdf4b51af273255f290aaff5265db4ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771112186&Signature=amDpIt0TO1mSjbF0RO6BZG5l0E9jQDw21rQdA2nyFc-GqIhkLPgH-0xOCd7jp8WwNrQfhH1XeosDbNhOfBjHKMbXyTs9AaN2J7lxVkYUtTkPV2ZJ1g~1pF9eZ79B5iLXCB6o85uyTAI27UjCWNNT7dwceJbkrMJctUFBEhWWI9vkcpvOahBD0ApslRRafXyHwVmJn7VMBM1Mn0xvoSejyoD0Ji~Nb8pujjOXNu5bAoy7Q5Pf1v-nSTgw-jmsXIoQ1U-AfWG8RgifpFugdpF1Jb1ZRsbx4BTz5oAUNT6ZroNUGBGUVc2T-3MIiZoB016bYOwRUuF1fgPD756IBbzwBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative James Lisenby, sponsor of HB 297, told the Utah House Judiciary Committee the bill is a cleanup to the 2024 expungement overhaul and aims to fix remaining procedural issues.

\"We passed HB 352, which was a major overhaul in the expungement area,\" Representative Lisenby said, and HB 297 \"is a cleanup bill from last year.\" He told the committee the measure was developed with the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Bureau of Criminal Identification and the courts to resolve implementation problems.

The bill clarifies that victims can still seek protective orders based on the underlying facts of an incident even after a record is expunged; it does not eliminate the underlying factual basis for protection. Lisenby explained that the change is intended to remove ambiguity in code so that protective orders remain available to victims.

HB 297 also addresses a backlog in the automatic expungement process for older DUI records. Lisenby said the bill removes certain pre‑defined DUI records from the automatic-expungement stream; those records instead must be pursued through the petition-based process so Bureau of Criminal Identification can clear the existing backlog.

No public commenters came forward at the hearing. Representative Auxier moved to give HB 297 a favorable recommendation. The committee took a voice vote; the chair announced, \"Seeing no opposition, I'll rule that that motion passes.\" The committee therefore advanced the bill to the next stage.

The bill was described as technical and narrowly focused on implementation; no changes to the underlying eligibility for expungement were announced during the hearing. The sponsor said staff and stakeholders had worked to ensure victims retain access to protective orders while making the automatic-expungement process function more efficiently.

The committee did not take public testimony opposed to the bill and recorded no amendments during the discussion. The committee vote was announced as passing by voice vote.","The House Judiciary Committee voted to favorably recommend HB 297, a cleanup bill to last year's expungement overhaul, clarifying protective-order language and removing certain older DUI records from automatic expungement so they can be handled by petition.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee unanimously backs bill removing civil time limits for certain offenses against children

Committee advances bill letting adult adoptees request original birth records without court petition

Committee adopts substitute to extend employer liability protections for hiring people reentering workforce

Committee advances HB 297 to clarify expungement process, protect access to protective orders