House reopens HB145 and adds parent‑accompaniment exception for transported youth

The Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 1 reopened action on House Bill 145, which regulates the transportation of unwilling youth to social‑service programs, and approved a sponsor‑agreed amendment that narrows the bill’s ban.

Representative Howard, speaking for the amendment’s proponents, asked the House to reconsider its previous action on HB145 so a clarifying change could be added. Howard said the change is meant to permit a parent who is physically unable to escort a child to hire assistance while ensuring the parent remains present and responsible: 'This just allows a parent to hire assistance to transport a child to one of these social service programs, but the parent has to accompany the child and be responsible.'

House members debated procedure and the scope of the amendment. Representative Rushton asked whether the exception should also cover legal guardians; Howard said the department that worked on the bill would not accept that language because in some cases a legal guardian could effectively function as the transporting agent, creating similar concerns. After discussion, the House voted to adopt the insertion on page 5, line 10: 'except when accompanied by a parent.'

The clerk opened and closed voting on HB145 as amended. The transcript records the House action and notes the clerk reported '63' affirmative votes; the transcript does not specify the number of negative or abstaining votes in that line. Procedurally, the bill was placed for third‑reading consideration consistent with the House rules after the reconsideration and amendment.

The amendment leaves in place the bill’s underlying prohibition on social‑service programs accepting children brought in against their will while carving a limited, parent‑accompaniment exception. Sponsors said the change preserves parental responsibility and prevents institutions from functioning as involuntary transporters while accommodating parents who need logistical help.

Next procedural steps: HB145 was set at the top of the third‑reading calendar after the amendment was adopted; the House’s clerk recorded the amended passage for further processing according to chamber rules.