The committee reported proposed substitute House Bill 18 15 out of committee with a due pass recommendation after extended discussion on how the prison riot offense has been applied to juveniles in certain facilities.

Representative Goodman, the bill’s floor speaker, said the substitute “excludes, all facilities now with the proposed substitute, both the state level institutions and the county lehi, juvenile detention facilities, from the definition of correctional facility, for the purpose of charging the so called prison riot offense.” Goodman said the bill responds to what she described as “excessive and even arbitrary use of the prison riot charge in 1 county recently, more than 200 cases.” The substitute also creates procedures to vacate convictions and seek resentencing.

Representative Burnett, while voting yes, said the issue requires a broader institutional reset and accountability for program directors, and he expressed support for rehabilitative aims while emphasizing the need for accountability. Representative Dent said caucus discussion was extensive and he remained unconvinced for today’s vote, recording a no without recommendation.

On the roll call, clerks recorded 10 yes votes and 1 no without recommendation; the clerk announced “that’s 10 I, 1 nay without recommendation.” The chair then reported the substitute out of committee with a due pass recommendation.

Supporters framed the measure as preventing severe criminal charges from derailing rehabilitation for juvenile residents in correctional and juvenile facilities. The substitute also provides a pathway to vacate certain convictions and for resentencing where appropriate, language supporters characterized as corrective for overbroad prosecutorial application.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 18 15 — substitute reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation (tally on the record: 10 yes; 1 no without recommendation).