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House approves Good Landlord program changes, keeps felony-exclusion provision for now
Summary
The Utah House on Jan. 26 passed HB 30 to revise the Good Landlord program, clarifying definitions and notification rules for third-party managers while preserving an existing ‘felony exclusion’; sponsors and advocates said they will continue to work on pilot programs aimed at reducing barriers for people reentering the community.
The Utah House of Representatives voted unanimously on Jan. 26 to pass House Bill 30, a set of targeted amendments to the state’s Good Landlord program intended to clarify definitions and administrative procedures for cities and landlords.
Sponsor Representative Frower said the bill “tweaks the good landlord program” to make its administration clearer, including ensuring third-party property managers receive notices and limiting the paperwork cities may require of landlords. He described the changes as technical and focused on clarity, not an expansion of city authority.
Supporters on the floor highlighted ongoing work outside this bill to address a widely criticized “felony exclusion” policy that certain cities apply when landlords screen tenants with recent felony convictions. Representative King said he appreciated “the efforts of my colleague from Weber County” and urged continued collaboration, telling the House that a pilot program involving Ogden City and the Department of Corrections and other stakeholders is under way to explore alternatives to the felony exclusion and to better serve people recently released from incarceration.
Representative Briscoe, who spoke in favor of the bill, said the measure does not eliminate landlords’ ability to reject applicants with felony records, but that it “goes a ways toward doing some of the things we need to do.” She described local efforts and meetings focused on housing for people reentering the community.
The sponsor emphasized the connection between housing stability and recidivism, saying lawmakers hope to coordinate resources through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative and other programs. The House recorded a 74-0 vote in favor of the bill; it will be sent to the Senate for consideration.
The bill’s supporters said further policy work will continue in the coming year to address the felony exclusion itself and to evaluate the results of pilot programs before additional statutory changes are proposed.
