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Senate approves tougher penalty for repeat domestic-violence offenders
Summary
Senate Bill 64 passed on Jan. 28 to create a third-degree felony enhancement for people who commit repeated domestic violence when two previous convictions exist within an enhancement window; juvenile adjudications are excluded from previous-conviction consideration.
The Utah Senate passed SB 64 on Jan. 28, a measure that sponsors described as adding an enhancement for repeat domestic-violence offenders.
Sponsor Senator Iwamoto said the bill "creates a third degree felony for people who keep committing domestic violence" when there are two prior convictions within an enhancement window. The bill also clarifies that juvenile adjudications do not count as prior convictions for the purpose of enhancement. The sponsor told the Senate the measure came from work by a multi-stakeholder working group and had support from several organizations.
Senator Andreeg (recorded as voting aye while expressing concerns) said she would vote for the bill despite believing "we should intervene earlier with services," but the floor vote carried and the bill is being sent to the House for consideration according to the Senate record.
What happens next: The bill, now passed by the Senate, advances to the House. If enacted, it changes sentencing exposure for qualifying repeat domestic-violence offenders; details on the enhancement window and statutory cross-references will determine implementation and sentencing practice.
Quote from the floor: "It creates a third degree felony for people who keep committing domestic violence," the sponsor said.
