Utah Senate approves diaper-fund option, criminal penalties for virtual child abuse, expanded school meals and air-pollution rules

The Utah Senate on the floor approved a package of bills that lawmakers and sponsors described as addressing family needs, child protection, school nutrition and air pollution control.

The largest set of votes included passage of third substitute House Bill 547 (diaper program amendments), first substitute House Bill 358 (criminal conduct amendments addressing virtual-reality exploitation of minors), third substitute House Bill 100 (school meal provisions to expand no-cost lunches), first substitute House Bill 420 (halogen emissions amendments) and second substitute House Bill 488 (federalism amendments, returned from conference). All five bills received final passage votes in the session recorded in the transcript.

Supporters said the measures ranged from narrow, voluntary funding mechanisms to broader criminal-code and public-health changes. Senator Luz Escamilla, the bill sponsor for the diaper program measure, told colleagues the bill "creates a fund eligible for 10 years or more to help with diapers and products related to diapers," and that individuals could opt to donate on their state income tax returns. Escamilla said the program includes an automatic removal mechanism if annual donations…