S.B. 36 Enrolled

DAMAGE TO OR INTERRUPTION OF COMMUNICATION DEVICE
2000 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Ron Allen
AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL LAW; AMENDING THE OFFENSE OF INTERFERING
WITH A COMMUNICATION DEVICE USED TO SUMMON EMERGENCY AID.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
AMENDS:
76-6-108, as enacted by Chapter 25, Laws of Utah 1998
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 76-6-108 is amended to read:
76-6-108. Damage to or interruption of a communication device -- Penalty.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Communication device" means any device, including a telephone, cellular telephone,
computer, or radio, which may be used in an attempt to summon police, fire, medical, or other
emergency aid.
(b) "Emergency aid" means [any situation in which: (i) property or human health or safety
is in jeopardy; and (ii) the prompt summoning of aid is essential to the preservation of the property
or human safety or health.] aid or assistance, including law enforcement, fire, or medical services,
commonly summoned by persons concerned with imminent or actual:
(i) jeopardy to any person's health or safety; or
(ii) damage to any person's property.
(2) A person is guilty of damage to or interruption of a communication device if the actor
attempts to prohibit or interrupt, or prohibits or interrupts, another person's use of a communication
[equipment] device when the other person is attempting to summon emergency aid or has
communicated a desire to summon emergency aid, and in the process the actor:
(a) uses force, intimidation, or any other form of violence;
(b) destroys, disables, or damages a communication [equipment] device; or
(c) commits any other act in an attempt to prohibit or interrupt the person's use of a

communication device to summon emergency aid.
(3) Damage to or interruption of a communication device is a class B misdemeanor.

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