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Utah Senate adopts conference changes to HB2, approving intensive early-release parole program
Summary
The Utah Senate adopted a conference committee report and then passed House Bill 2 on final passage, creating an intensive early-release parole program with added treatment and supervision requirements; final Senate vote was 23–4. Supporters said screening and mandated treatment would protect public safety; opponents urged more funding for treatment and raised victims'afety concerns.
The Utah Senate adopted a conference committee report and then passed House Bill 2, an intensive early-release parole program, in a 23'to—4 final vote on Feb. 15, 1993. Sponsors said the bill narrows eligibility to carefully screened, lower-risk third-degree felony prisoners and conditions release on outpatient mental-health counseling and supervision.
Supporters, led on the floor by Senator Haven Barlow, said the amendments clarify legislative intent and add treatment requirements that will reduce recidivism while freeing prison capacity for more serious offenders. ‘‘If they do qualify, they become much safer and the risk is much more minimal than it would have been without this program,’’ Barlow said during debate.
Opponents argued the measure could leave victims exposed and pressed for additional funding for treatment and expanded facilities before adopting the changes. ‘‘We will be responsible for the actions that we take this day,’’ Senator Behr told colleagues, urging caution and additional appropriations for treatment before a final vote.
Senators discussed the program's scale and screening: sponsors said roughly 80 inmates might be considered under the program and that perhaps 20'25 could be third-degree offenders with sexual-offense histories who might be eligible if judged low risk and ordered into treatment. The conference committee report added an explicit condition requiring outpatient counseling and treatment as part of intensive early release for certain third-degree felony offenders.
Senator McAllister and others framed the bill in fiscal and capacity terms, noting limited prison space and the possibility of reallocating resources to the most serious inmates. Opponents stressed victims'rights and the emotional toll trials impose, saying some victims would view early release as undermining justice if treatment and supervision were inadequate.
After adopting the conference committee report, the Senate proceeded to final passage. The roll-call vote recorded 23 ayes, 4 nays, and 2 absent. The bill will be returned to the House for their further action.
The next procedural step will be the House'Senate exchange required by law for any conference report adoption and final enactment procedures; sponsors said they remain willing to consider committee holds if members seek more information or appropriations for treatment programs.
