Bills that Reduce Penalties
or Narrow Offenses
Passed:
SB 230 Kickback Prohibition Amendments clarifies that payment of a lien and payment of medical services does not constitute the kickback/bribe third degree felony offense.
Failed:
HB 27 Drug Possession Penalty Amendments would have reduced the penalty of possession of a dangerous weapon and a controlled substance from a third degree felony to a class A misdemeanor if the controlled substance was marijuana. This bill was circled on the House floor and never received a final vote.
HB 310 Abortion Penalty Amendments would have eliminated criminal penalties associated with abortion, instead creating a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for someone who performs an abortion in violation of Utah code but provides that this penalty may not adversely affect their professional license. This bill was never heard in committee.
HB 419 Tobacco Regulation Amendments would have removed the penalty enhancement for a subsequent offense of selling a tobacco product to someone under 21 years old. It also would have removed the mens rea requirement for selling tobacco to a minor, which is currently an infraction. This bill was never heard in committee.
SB 177 Business Transactions Amendments would have allowed pawn shops to accept gift cards, removing it from the list of offenses that can be charged as a class B misdemeanor. This bill was never heard in committee.
SB 200 Psilocybin Recommendation Pilot Program Amendments would have decriminalized psilocybin possession under certain circumstances and created other penalties for violations of possession requirements. This bill was held in committee and failed to be voted on the Senate floor. There will likely be a pilot program exploring the efficacy of psilocybin based mental health treatment.