UtahUtah law makes knowingly falsifying aid applications a crime
Utah law makes knowingly helping someone hide important facts on an assistance application a crime, with penalties based on the value of the benefits involved.
What it does
A person who knowingly helps put false information on an assistance application or hide an important fact to get aid the applicant does not qualify for commits a crime. Penalties depend on the value involved.
The offense level depends on the value of the benefits involved, with higher values carrying felony penalties. Related instances may be added together, and repaying the benefits does not prevent prosecution.
Public assistance fraud by a person knowingly helping with an inaccurate application is included among the offenses that may count toward a pattern of unlawful activity.
Argument forThe law may discourage helpers from knowingly hiding key facts to get applicants aid they would not otherwise qualify for.
Argument againstHelpers could hesitate to assist with applications if they fear criminal penalties for knowingly giving or hiding important information.
More detail
A person who helps complete an application commits public assistance fraud by knowingly adding or directing false material information, or hiding or directing someone to hide a material fact, to obtain aid the applicant would not qualify for. This applies to a person who helps an applicant complete a public assistance application. The helper must knowingly provide false information or hide a required material fact. The helper must act to cause the applicant to receive assistance the helper knows the applicant would otherwise not qualify for. This provision takes effect May 6, 2026.
The law sets criminal penalty levels for public assistance fraud based on the value of benefits received, misused, claimed, or applied for. These penalty levels apply to the public assistance fraud offenses described in the bill text. The offense is a second degree felony at $5,000 or more; a third degree felony at $1,500 to less than $5,000; a class A misdemeanor at $500 to less than $1,500; and a class B misdemeanor below $500. Related instances are added together when they are part of the same or a related series of events. Repayment is not a defense to prosecution. These provisions take effect May 6, 2026.
Public assistance fraud by a person facilitating an inaccurate application is listed as unlawful activity that can count toward a pattern. This applies when determining whether conduct forms a pattern of unlawful activity. A pattern requires at least three related episodes that show continuing unlawful conduct. This provision takes effect May 6, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 12House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 11House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 11Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 7Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 7Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 6House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ to House
- Mar 6Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 6Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Mar 6Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Mar 3Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Mar 3Senate/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]
- Mar 2Senate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]
- Mar 2Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 25Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 24Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 24Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Feb 23House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 23House/ uncircled
- Feb 23House/ circled
- Feb 23House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 17House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 17House/ committee report favorable [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 13House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 11House/ to standing committee [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 4House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Feb 3LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0454
- Feb 3LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0454
- Feb 3House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 3House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Feb 2LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0454
- Feb 2LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0454
- Feb 2Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Feb 2Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Criminal Justice