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House passes bill allowing domestic violence victims to separate phone numbers from perpetrator accounts
Summary
House Bill 160 would allow domestic violence victims with a court order to remove their phone number from an account controlled by a perpetrator; sponsors say carriers cooperated and the bill passed the House by a recorded vote.
The Utah House passed House Bill 160 on Feb. 16, a measure that lets domestic violence victims with an appropriate court order separate their phone number from a phone account in the perpetrator’s name and obtain a separate account. The bill passed the House and was forwarded to the Senate.
Representative Lisonbee described the bill as a straightforward, victim‑protection measure that has been enacted in other states. He said he worked with major carriers such as AT&T and Verizon to ensure the bill was workable and that it addresses how perpetrators can use phones to track and continue abuse.
Supporters described the frequency and severity of intimate-partner violence in Utah and argued the bill is a modest step that helps survivors maintain contact with support networks and avoid further tracking by abusers. The sponsor encouraged members' support, and the body voted to pass the legislation; the transcript records the final tally and that the bill will be referred to the Senate for consideration.
The House presentation emphasized the bill’s intent to protect victims’ safety and privacy by facilitating account separation when a court order documents domestic violence.
The bill passed and will be referred to the Senate for further consideration.
