Senate Bill 303, which updates licensing rules for private investigators and adds continuing-education requirements, was favorably recommended by the Utah Senate Business and Labor Standing Committee on Feb. 25.

Senator Chris Weiler, sponsor, said the bill addresses “draconian” aspects of current regulation and fills gaps that leave investigators and their employees vulnerable if a license is suspended without notice. "If they're accused of a violation ... their license can just be suspended, and then all of their clients and all of their employees ... livelihoods are placed in jeopardy," Weiler said, arguing the bill would require notice to a sponsoring agent and an opportunity to respond.

Key provisions in the bill include a requirement that a licensee complete 16 hours of continuing education to renew a private-investigator license beginning in 2027, changes to information displayed on license ID cards, and limits on the identifying information an investigator must provide a subject when asked to verify a license. The bill also directs the private-investigator licensure board to take action if an agent who sponsors a license is incapacitated or dies, to protect ongoing cases and client interests.

Michelle Palmer, president of the Bridal Investigator Association and a private investigator from Morgan, testified in support and confirmed the industry requested the changes. "It's the industry that's asking for this because they realize that one private investigator can give them all a bad name," Palmer said.

Committee members asked about whether continuing-education courses currently exist; Weiler said requiring CE to begin in 2027 gives time for courses and providers to organize.

The motion to favorably recommend SB 303 was made by Senator Weiler and passed by voice vote; the committee chair recorded the motion as passing unanimously (5–0). The bill now goes to the Senate floor.