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Committee approves HB 138 to clarify child‑abuse homicide charges when abuse contributes to a child’s suicide

Utah House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · February 13, 2026
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Summary

Sponsors said HB 138 (second substitute) fills a statutory gap so prosecutors can charge caregivers when patterns of severe abuse result in a child's death by suicide; the committee voted unanimously to pass the bill out favorably after broad stakeholder support.

The House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee unanimously recommended HB 138 (second substitute), a bill the sponsor said will close a gap in Utah’s criminal code to allow prosecutors to pursue child‑abuse homicide charges when a pattern of severe abuse contributes to a child's death by suicide.

Representative Shepherd and Detective…

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