Utah makes tampering with or triggering false alarms on public rescue tracking equipment a class B misdemeanor

Original title: Rescue Tracking Equipment Offense Amendments

Last action · March 24, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: Jon Hawkins and 7 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Utah enacts a new criminal offense making it a to destroy, disable, remove, tamper with, or falsely trigger rescue tracking equipment placed in public spaces, effective May 6, 2026.

Why it matters

People who interfere with emergency beacons or trigger false rescue alerts face criminal prosecution and potential jail time or fines.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Individuals interacting with rescue tracking equipment

Individuals face class B misdemeanor charges for destroying, tampering with, or intentionally triggering false emergency reports using public rescue tracking equipment.

Directly affected

Law enforcement agencies

Law enforcement receives statutory protections against false emergency reports and interference with public rescue tracking devices.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered rescue tracking equipment under this law?

It is property located in a public place designed to allow an individual to request emergency assistance and help law enforcement track their location.

What is the criminal penalty for tampering with rescue tracking equipment?

A violation is classified as a .

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

39 actions

Mar 24, 2026Lieutenant Governor's office for filingEnrolled
Governor Signed
Mar 16, 2026House
House/ to Governor
Mar 16, 2026House
House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Mar 12, 2026House
House/ enrolled bill to Printing
Mar 12, 2026Clerk of the House
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Mar 10, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel / Enrolling
Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

Show 33 earlier actions

Mar 10, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel / Enrolling
Bill Received from House for Enrolling
Mar 7, 2026House
House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
Mar 7, 2026House
House/ received from Senate
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ to House
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
Mar 6, 2026SenateFloor
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
Mar 4, 2026Senate
Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
Feb 26, 2026Senate
Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
Feb 26, 2026Senate
Senate/ committee report favorable
Feb 26, 2026Senate
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Feb 23, 2026SenateCommittee
Senate/ to standing committee
Feb 20, 2026SenateIntroduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
Feb 19, 2026Senate
Senate/ received from House
Feb 19, 2026House
House/ to Senate
Feb 19, 2026HouseFloor
House/ passed 3rd reading
Feb 19, 2026House
House/ uncircled
Feb 19, 2026House
House/ circled
Feb 19, 2026House
House/ 3rd reading
Feb 12, 2026House
House/ 2nd reading
Feb 12, 2026House
House/ committee report favorable
Feb 11, 2026House
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Jan 29, 2026HouseCommittee
House/ to standing committee
Jan 28, 2026House
House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
Jan 27, 2026Released
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0354
Jan 27, 2026Version Sponsor
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0354
Jan 23, 2026HouseIntroduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
Jan 23, 2026House
House/ received bill from Legislative Research
Jan 23, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0354
Jan 23, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0354
Jan 23, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
Jan 23, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Version history

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