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House approves lifetime registration for specified offenders in HB22
Summary
House Bill 22, a committee bill, was approved unanimously on the floor to require lifetime registration for two categories of offenders and to bring Utah into compliance with the federal Jacob Wetterling Act; the Speaker announced a 60–0 tally and the bill will be referred to the Senate.
Representative Bowman presented House Bill 22 on behalf of the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee, explaining the measure establishes lifetime registration on the offender registry for two categories: repeat registrants and individuals convicted of certain aggravated offenses against children. Bowman said the committee had studied the issue during the interim and voted unanimously to recommend passage.
Bowman stated the bill brings Utah into compliance with the federal Jacob Wetterling Act and noted the fiscal penalty for noncompliance: a 10% reduction in the state's bond grant funding. "Because of that, some have suggested this bill is simply a matter of money," Bowman said, but he reported that the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice concluded lifetime registration requirements are sound policy for the state.
After a brief clarification on bill sponsorship and no further floor discussion, the Speaker announced the vote: House Bill 22 received 60 yes votes and zero no votes; the bill passed and will be referred to the Senate for further action.
