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House advances stiffer penalties for chronic child‑support nonpayment, citing cross‑state enforcement gaps
Summary
The House passed an amendment to the criminal nonsupport statute that clarifies when prosecutors can pursue felony charges — including when arrears exceed $10,000 or when a parent fails to pay in 18 of 24 months — aiming to make it easier to pursue nonpayers who move out of state. Vote: 47–21.
The Utah House on Friday approved an amendment to the criminal nonsupport statute designed to make it easier for prosecutors to pursue chronic child‑support nonpayers, particularly those who move out of state.
Sponsor Rep. Karen Morgan told colleagues the measure clarifies confusing wording in current law, aligns state law with the federal standard and adds an enforcement threshold: a person who fails to pay support in 18 months of a 24‑month period or whose total arrearage exceeds $10,000 may meet the elements for…
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