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Utah Senate advances felony penalties for meth production that harms children, elders
Summary
Senate Bill 188, sponsored by Sen. Suazo, would create graduated felony penalties for clandestine methamphetamine operations that expose or harm children or elderly people. The measure passed on a recorded roll call and advances to the House.
Senator Suazo introduced Senate Bill 188, saying the measure "addresses a very serious issue, and that is the production of methamphetamines." The bill would impose a third-degree felony for knowingly allowing a child or elderly person to suffer bodily injury as a result of meth production, a second-degree felony if they are actually harmed, and a first-degree felony if death results.
Supporters framed the bill as an effort to protect vulnerable people from the growing incidence of clandestine meth labs. The sponsor and proponents emphasized the harms to children and elders who are often present in homes where methamphetamine is manufactured.
There was no extended floor debate recorded on the bill’s merits in this transcript after the sponsor’s remarks. On the roll call, the clerk announced 27 aye votes, no nays and two absent; the bill was recorded as advancing to the third-reading calendar and will be transmitted to the House for consideration.
Next steps: The bill will proceed through the House consideration and subsequent readings as dictated by the legislative calendar.
