Bill > HB0148

This bill establishes a new legal provision that creates an aggravating factor for child sexual offenses involving significant travel. Specifically, the bill defines an aggravating factor that applies when a defendant either travels more than 45 miles from their principal place of residence to commit a child sexual offense, or pays for/facilitates a victim traveling more than 45 miles from their home for the purpose of committing such an offense. The bill comprehensively defines "child sexual offense" to include eleven specific types of sexual crimes against minors, such as human trafficking of a child, rape of a child, and sexual abuse of a minor. When a defendant is convicted of one of these offenses and found to have met the travel-related aggravating factor, the sentencing court must include this factor in the judgment of commitment, and the Board of Pardons and Parole must consider it when determining the length of imprisonment. The bill also carefully defines "principal place of residence" as the location where an individual's habitation is fixed, based on their expressed intent and consistent actions. The legislation is set to take effect on May 7, 2025, and aims to provide additional legal tools to address and potentially deter child sexual offenses involving intentional travel.

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https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0148.html