Prosecutors could seek the death penalty for child killers under two pieces of legislation that received unanimous support of a Senate committee Tuesday. One bill, sponsored by Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, would make it a capital crime to kill a person younger than 14 years old. A capital offense is punishable by 20 years to life, life in prison without the possibility of parole or death. Another bill, sponsored by Clearfield GOP Rep. Paul Ray, targets cases where severe abuse results in the death of a child. For police and prosecutors to seek a capital conviction, they must show the criminal intended to kill his or her victim. Under the bill, a capital crime could be charged in cases where a person showed "reckless indifference to human life." Next step:
SJR3
Senate resolution calls for reauthorization of CHIP
Senators Wednesday passed a resolution urging Congress to reauthorize a state-federal program for medical services for children.
The resolution sponsored by Sen. Pete Knudson, R-Brigham City, supports continuation of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). "Children throughout the country have benefited immensely from CHIP," Knudson said.
But some lawmakers, including Orem's Sen. Margaret Dayton, relentlessly opposed CHIP as "socialized medicine."
Knudson, an orthodontist, later joked that he was not a "pinko." "I just think healthy kids make a healthy country."
Next step: Goes to a House committee.
- Glen Warchol
HB92
New rules advanced for adult adoption by foster parents
For adults brought up by foster parents, being later legally adopted by those parents can be a difficult process. A Senate committee unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that would create a separate set of rules for adult adoptions.
The bill's sponsor Rep. John Mathis, R-Vernal, said adults who seek adoptions for personal or legal reasons are subject to requirements like home inspections that "do not apply" to adults.
Next step: Goes to full Senate
- Dustin Gardiner
HB425
OHVs may be allowed to drive on streets
A House committee Wednesday approved a bill that could legalize off-highway vehicles for street use.
Rep. Mike Noel's proposal would permit OHV users to drive their vehicles on most streets provided they meet equipment specifications such as street-worthy tires, headlamps, taillights and rear-view mirrors.
The Kanab Republican said legalizing all-terrain and other types of off-road vehicles for such use would benefit rural communities that use OHVs extensively on local ranches and farms. But Noel acknowledged the bill would also provide a way for OHV users to circumvent Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service rules that restrict OHV use on federal lands.
Lisa Schmidt, executive director of the environmental group Save Our Canyons, says such a bill could lead to chaos in urbanized areas like the Wasatch Front.
- Joe Baird
SB75
'Right-to-die' law now goes to House
A bill that would update the state's so-called "right-to-die" law sailed through the Senate on Wednesday.
The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Allen Christensen, would replace the state's existing Personal Choice and Living Will Act. It has the support of hospitals, the Commission on Aging and the state Division of Aging, Christensen said.
The bill would clarify and protect instructions for medical care that are made in advance, including the withdrawal of life support systems. It also provides for the appointment of surrogate decision makers.
"It will increase the chance the patient's end-of-life wishes will be followed," Christensen said.
Next step: Goes to a House committee.
- Glen Warchol
SB50
Drug treatment plan moves forward
A proposed drug rehabilitation program that sponsor Sen. Chris Buttars says would save the state more than $800 million in jailing felons over the next decade, flew through a House committee.
The Drug Offenders Reform Act, or DORA, emphasizes treatment over imprisonment. A pilot program in Salt Lake County has proven successful and the West Jordan Republican hopes to take DORA statewide with $17 million in annual funding. The measure already passed the Senate.
Next step: Held in House Rules until budget priorities are sorted out.
- Glen Warchol
Both bills go to full Senate
- Matt Canham
HB291
School for deaf may get broader mission
The State School for the Deaf could be opened to students with disabilities other than deafness under a measure approved Monday by a House committee.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ken Sumsion, R-American Fork, was suggested by constituents who have a Down Syndrome child who uses sign language as his primary communication mode. Regular public schools do not have adequate resources to teach their child, they said.
Educators of the deaf support the bill, but want assurances funding will accompany any influx of new students.
Next step: Goes to full House.
- Glen Warchol
