Utah Senate Bill 124 establishes child safety warrants and modifies juvenile court protective custody procedures

Original title: Child Welfare Modifications

Last action · March 6, 2026: Senate/ filedSponsors: Luz Escamilla and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Proposed

This bill distinguishes s from new s issued by juvenile courts, specifying that child safety warrants allow officials to view, examine, or interview a child or home environment but do not authorize taking a child into protective custody without a separate protective custody warrant.

Why it matters

The measure alters the legal mechanisms available to peace officers and child welfare caseworkers when investigating potential child abuse, neglect, or dependency by creating a specialized warrant type dedicated solely to safety checks without immediate removal powers.

Background

The legislation modifies Utah's Juvenile Code and related statutes governing child welfare proceedings, protective custody, and juvenile court powers. context

Who It Would Have Affected

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

Directly affected

Children and families

Subject to new warrant procedures governing home visits, safety checks, and potential protective custody removals by caseworkers and peace officers.

Directly affected

Peace officers and child welfare caseworkers

Must navigate new statutory distinctions and limitations regarding when they can observe a child versus when they can take a child into protective custody.

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 the difference between a child safety warrant and a protective custody warrant?

A allows officials to view, examine, or interview a child or inspect a home environment for signs of abuse or neglect, but it does not give the officer or caseworker authority to take the child into protective custody. A authorizes taking the child into protective custody.

Can a child safety warrant be used to remove a child from their home?

No. An individual executing a cannot take a child into protective custody unless they obtain a separate .

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the Senate · on the House floor.

Procedural history

45 actions

Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ filed
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ strike enacting clause
Mar 5, 2026Released
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0124S02
Mar 4, 2026Version Sponsor
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0124S02
Mar 4, 2026House
House/ to Senate
Mar 4, 2026House
House/ failed

Show 39 earlier actions

Mar 4, 2026House
House/ substituted
Mar 4, 2026House
House/ 3rd reading
Mar 4, 2026House
House/ 2nd reading
Mar 4, 2026House
House/ comm rpt/ amended
Mar 4, 2026House
House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
Mar 4, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0124S02
Mar 4, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0124S02
Feb 26, 2026House
House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
Feb 26, 2026House
House/ comm rpt/ amended
Feb 26, 2026House
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Feb 26, 2026House
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Feb 19, 2026HouseCommittee
House/ to standing committee
Feb 18, 2026HouseIntroduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
Feb 18, 2026House
House/ received from Senate
Feb 18, 2026Senate
Senate/ to House
Feb 18, 2026SenateFloor
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Feb 18, 2026Senate
Senate/ 3rd reading
Feb 18, 2026Released
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0124S01
Feb 17, 2026SenateFloor
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Feb 17, 2026Senate
Senate/ substituted
Feb 17, 2026Senate
Senate/ 2nd reading
Feb 16, 2026Version Sponsor
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0124S01
Feb 12, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0124S01
Feb 12, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0124S01
Feb 2, 2026Senate
Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
Feb 2, 2026Senate
Senate/ comm rpt/ amended
Jan 30, 2026Senate
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Jan 30, 2026Senate
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Jan 27, 2026Senate
Senate Comm - Not Considered
Jan 21, 2026SenateCommittee
Senate/ to standing committee
Jan 20, 2026Senate
Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
Jan 20, 2026SenateIntroduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
Jan 20, 2026Released
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0124
Jan 17, 2026Version Sponsor
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0124
Jan 13, 2026Senate
Senate/ received bill from Legislative Research
Jan 12, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0124
Jan 12, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0124
Jan 12, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
Jan 12, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Version history

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