Bill > HB0274

This bill amends existing Utah law concerning sentencing by expanding the Sentencing Commission to 17 voting members, including more representation from rural counties for criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors, and adding representatives from the Utah Chiefs of Police Association and the Utah Sheriffs Association. It also modifies the criteria for establishing adult sentencing and supervision length guidelines, emphasizing public protection as the primary consideration and rehabilitation, prevention of future harm, deterrence, punishment, and victim impact as secondary considerations, and mandates a review of guidelines for specific violent and sexual offenses. Furthermore, the bill requires legislative approval of these guidelines through a concurrent resolution and clarifies that courts must consider the adult sentencing and supervision length guidelines when determining sentences, prioritizing public safety and deterrence for violent and sexual offenses. Finally, it adds a definition for "rural county" to exclude Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah Counties from this designation.