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Members of a House committee on Thursday expressed support for a proposed Utah registry for those convicted of felony child abuse, but favored creation of a new registry over the initial plan to add these felons to the existing sex offender and kidnapper registry.
Rep. Derrin Owens, R-Fountain Green, is sponsoring HB149 and told the committee he believes it would help in efforts of child-abuse prevention and awareness.
JoAnn Otten, a grandmother from Manti, testified on behalf of the bill, talking of her personal experience, and saying "we have the obligation to take care of our children." Bikers Against Child Abuse also expressed support for the bill.
Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, encouraged the committee to delay a vote, saying he would prefer creation of a separate registry. He said the sex offenders registry, which he helped create, has become so cumbersome with a wide range of qualifying crimes so that "when you read the charges, you can't narrow it down to what the person did. … My fear is that somebody will see third degree felony child abuse and they'll assume it was sexual abuse of a child."
Lawmakers indicated Owens will return with a revised bill in line with the suggested change.