Utah House approves bill requiring HIV testing for people convicted of prostitution and patrons

The Utah House approved House Bill 26 on a 62–5 vote after extended floor debate, moving the measure to the Senate for consideration.

Sponsor Representative Oskarsen told the chamber the bill would require HIV testing for people convicted of prostitution, patrons convicted of patronizing prostitutes, or those convicted of solicitation. He said the measure includes required notice procedures, counseling options and confidentiality limits that would provide test results only to designated health, corrections and law-enforcement officials. "This becomes a health and safety issue for the citizens of the state," Oskarsen said during his presentation.

Opponents on the floor raised questions about who would pay for counseling and testing and whether the measure would erode privacy. Representative Wharton asked, "Who will pay for that?" and said he had "a problem with the confidentiality" and with the possibility that multiple local agencies would hold highly personal health information. Wharton and other critics warned mandatory testing risks stigmatizing people and shifting costs to counties.

Supporters framed the bill as a targeted public-health response. Representative Joe Moody urged colleagues to act, saying the state needs tools to address the spreading virus; Representative James characterized the bill as "a step in the right direction" and warned of mounting public-health costs if left unchecked.

Fiscal and implementation questions were raised repeatedly on the floor. During discussion sponsors and members cited fiscal estimates and back-of-envelope figures for implementation; a fiscal note figure of $97,000 for an initial period was referenced during debate. The sponsor said counties had told him they believed they could absorb some costs in their budgets, and that indigent defendants would be provided access to county-run counseling programs.

The House voted to pass the bill; the clerk announced that "House Bill number 26 received 62 affirmative votes, 5 negative votes" and the bill will be forwarded to the Senate.

What happens next: The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration and any amendments there. The House debate left several implementation details unresolved on the record, including precise cost allocation among counties, safeguards for confidentiality in practice, and the mechanism for delivering results and counseling.

Votes and formal action: The House adopted the motion to advance HB26 and, after debate, passed the bill by a recorded tally of 62–5. The bill record and fiscal notes will be carried to the Senate for consideration.