Bill > SB0124

This bill modifies existing Utah law concerning child welfare by clarifying the conditions under which protective custody warrants and investigative warrants can be issued by the juvenile court. Specifically, it amends Section 78A-6-102 to allow the juvenile court to issue protective custody and investigative warrants under specific statutes related to child abuse, neglect, dependency, and termination of parental rights, similar to how search warrants are issued in other courts. It also introduces a definition for "credible threat" in Section 80-1-102, meaning a threat supported by specific facts indicating a child is at risk of harm, which is relevant for obtaining warrants. The bill further refines Section 80-2a-202 by distinguishing between protective custody warrants, which allow for a child to be taken into custody, and investigative warrants, which permit viewing a child, their home, examining them for abuse, or interviewing them, without immediately taking them into custody unless a separate protective custody warrant is obtained. This change aims to provide clearer legal frameworks for child welfare caseworkers and law enforcement when investigating potential child endangerment, ensuring that warrants are appropriately sought and executed to protect children while respecting due process.

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https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0124.html