Bill > SB0115

This bill requires the Administrative Office of the Courts, which manages court records, to quarterly report convictions for various animal cruelty offenses to the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), a state agency responsible for protecting children. These reported convictions would include the offender's name, birth date, address, and the specific animal cruelty offense, such as cruelty to an animal, aggravated cruelty, torturing a companion animal, dog fighting, attending a dog fight, or injuring a service animal. The DCFS will then document these reports, but importantly, an individual cannot be investigated for child abuse or neglect based solely on one of these animal cruelty convictions. This measure aims to improve the cross-reporting of animal abuse information to relevant state agencies, while also providing a safeguard against automatic child abuse investigations based only on animal cruelty convictions, and it is set to take effect on May 6, 2026.

Health and Social Services

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0115.html