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House Passes Child-Protection Bill Aligning State Code with Federal Measures and Clarifying Interview Rules
Summary
House Bill 328, amended to allow certain age-based exceptions to audio/video recordings and to broaden placement options to trusted family friends, passed the House 67–0.
Representative Wayne Harper presented House Bill 328 on Feb. 16, an agreed-to bill that amends Utah’s child protection statutes to align with recent federal changes and to refine interview and placement procedures.
Key changes discussed on the floor included an amendment that allows a child age 9 or older to refuse audio or video recording of an investigative interview (in which case the caseworker would take notes) and clarifies that family friends may be considered for temporary placement when no kin is available. The bill also encourages the child’s presence at placement hearings so judges can hear their preferences, while preserving judicial discretion when impractical.
Representative Harper said the measure was brought with input from state agencies and advocacy groups and is intended to improve state compliance with federal law (Adam Walsh/related reforms) while protecting children during investigations and placements.
The House adopted an amendment clarifying the recording/age rule and voted HB328 as amended, 67 yes, 0 no, with 8 absent. The bill will be forwarded to the Senate for further action.
What's next: Implementation details (procedural guidance for interviews and placement reviews) will be handled by child-welfare agencies if the bill becomes law.
