UtahUtah penalizes damage and misuse of public rescue alert equipment
People who destroy or disrupt public emergency aid equipment, or knowingly use it to cause a false report, can face a class B misdemeanor.
What it does
Destroying public equipment designed to alert law enforcement and help locate someone needing emergency aid is a class B misdemeanor. Some interference and knowingly causing a false report also count.
Argument forThe misdemeanor penalty could discourage people from disabling public devices that help someone call for emergency aid and help law enforcement find them.
Argument againstBecause the law sets no intent requirement for destruction or interference that impedes the equipment, someone could face a misdemeanor even without meaning to hinder a rescue.
More detail
The law makes certain actions involving rescue tracking equipment a class B misdemeanor. The equipment must be in a public place and designed to let someone signal law enforcement for emergency help and help officers track that person's location. Destroying the equipment is covered. Damaging, disabling, removing, or tampering with it is covered only when that conduct impedes its proper use or function. Interacting with it is covered when the person knows the action will cause a false report to law enforcement that someone needs emergency help. The law took 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 16House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 16House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 12House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 12Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 10Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 10Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 7House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 7House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 7Senate/ to House
- Mar 7Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 7Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 7Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]Minor
- Feb 26Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 26Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 26Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 23Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 20Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 19Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19House/ to Senate
- Feb 19House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 19House/ uncircled
- Feb 19House/ circled
- Feb 19House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 12House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 12House/ committee report favorable [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 11House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 29House/ to standing committee [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 28House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 27LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0354
- Jan 27LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0354
- Jan 23House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 23House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0354
- Jan 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0354
- Jan 23Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 23Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety