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Utah House approves garnishment amendment to let judges seize certain benefits for child-victim restitution
Summary
Lawmakers passed HB 165 to allow courts to garnish some retirement or disability benefits to satisfy restitution ordered for felony child-sex offenses, sparking debate over federal-benefits preemption and whether the language is overly broad; the measure passed 59–11.
Representative D, sponsor of HB 165, told the House the bill is narrowly tailored to allow courts to collect restitution ordered for victims of felony sexual offenses against children by garnishing portions of certain retirement or disability benefits: "It may be garnished on behalf of a child victim if the person receiving the benefits has been convicted of a felony ... and ordered by the convicting court to pay restitution to the victim," he said.
Opponents warned the bill…
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