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S.B. 236

             1     

JUDICIARY AMENDMENTS

             2     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

             5     
House Sponsor: Kay L. McIff

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill makes technical changes to the judiciary statutes and conforming changes
             10      throughout the code.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    clarifies requirements for judicial review of an offer of restriction in situations
             14      which may pose a threat to public health;
             15          .    clarifies that the district court has appellate jurisdiction over justice and small
             16      claims court decisions;
             17          .    clarifies juvenile court jurisdiction;
             18          .    eliminates the requirement that the petitioner on a child protective order notify the
             19      court of their current address 30 days before the expiration date;
             20          .    sets a specific time period for a child protective order; and
             21          .    clarifies justice court jurisdiction over minors.
             22      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          None
             24      Other Special Clauses:
             25          None
             26      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             27      AMENDS:


             28          10-3-1106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 260
             29          26-6b-3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 185
             30          26-6b-3.3, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 185
             31          26-6b-3.4, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 185
             32          26-6b-4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 185
             33          26-6b-5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 185
             34          26-6b-6, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 38
             35          78-3-4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 201
             36          78-3a-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapters 55, 132, and 281
             37          78-3h-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 157
             38          78-3h-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 326
             39          78-5-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 215
             40          78-45-7.2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapters 282 and 354
             41      REPEALS:
             42          78-5-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 365
             43     
             44      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             45          Section 1. Section 10-3-1106 is amended to read:
             46           10-3-1106. Discharge, suspension without pay, or involuntary transfer -- Appeals
             47      -- Board -- Procedure.
             48          (1) An employee to which Section 10-3-1105 applies may not be discharged, suspended
             49      without pay, or involuntarily transferred to a position with less remuneration:
             50          (a) because of the employee's politics or religious belief; or
             51          (b) incident to, or through changes, either in the elective officers, governing body, or
             52      heads of departments.
             53          (2) (a) If an employee is discharged, suspended for more than two days without pay, or
             54      involuntarily transferred from one position to another with less remuneration for any reason,
             55      the employee may, subject to Subsection (2)(b), appeal the discharge, suspension without pay,
             56      or involuntary transfer to a board to be known as the appeal board, established under
             57      Subsection (7).
             58          (b) If the municipality provides an internal grievance procedure, the employee shall


             59      exhaust the employee's rights under that grievance procedure before appealing to the board.
             60          (3) (a) Each appeal under Subsection (2) shall be taken by filing written notice of the
             61      appeal with the municipal recorder within ten days after:
             62          (i) if the municipality provides an internal grievance procedure, the employee receives
             63      notice of the final disposition of the municipality's internal grievance procedure; or
             64          (ii) if the municipality does not provide an internal grievance procedure, the discharge,
             65      suspension, or involuntary transfer.
             66          (b) (i) Upon the filing of an appeal under Subsection (3)(a), the municipal recorder
             67      shall forthwith refer a copy of the appeal to the appeal board.
             68          (ii) Upon receipt of the referral from the municipal recorder, the appeal board shall
             69      forthwith commence its investigation, take and receive evidence, and fully hear and determine
             70      the matter which relates to the cause for the discharge, suspension, or transfer.
             71          (4) An employee who is the subject of the discharge, suspension, or transfer may:
             72          (a) appear in person and be represented by counsel;
             73          (b) have a public hearing;
             74          (c) confront the witness whose testimony is to be considered; and
             75          (d) examine the evidence to be considered by the appeal board.
             76          (5) (a) (i) Each decision of the appeal board shall be by secret ballot, and shall be
             77      certified to the recorder within 15 days from the date the matter is referred to it, except as
             78      provided in Subsection (5)(a)(ii).
             79          (ii) For good cause, the board may extend the 15-day period under Subsection (5)(a)(i)
             80      to a maximum of 60 days, if the employee and municipality both consent.
             81          (b) If it finds in favor of the employee, the board shall provide that the employee shall
             82      receive:
             83          (i) the employee's salary for the period of time during which the employee is
             84      discharged or suspended without pay; or
             85          (ii) any deficiency in salary for the period during which the employee was transferred
             86      to a position of less remuneration.
             87          (6) (a) A final action or order of the appeal board may be [appealed to] reviewed by the
             88      Court of Appeals by filing with that court a [notice of appeal] petition for review.
             89          (b) Each [notice of appeal] petition under Subsection (6)(a) shall be filed within 30


             90      days after the issuance of the final action or order of the appeal board.
             91          (c) The Court of Appeals' review shall be on the record of the appeal board and for the
             92      purpose of determining if the appeal board abused its discretion or exceeded its authority.
             93          (7) (a) The method and manner of choosing the members of the appeal board, the
             94      number of members, the designation of their terms of office, and the procedure for conducting
             95      an appeal and the standard of review shall be prescribed by the governing body of each
             96      municipality by ordinance.
             97          (b) For a municipality operating under a form of government other than a
             98      council-mayor form under Part 12, Optional Forms of Municipal Government Act, an
             99      ordinance adopted under Subsection (7)(a) may provide that the governing body of the
             100      municipality shall serve as the appeal board.
             101          Section 2. Section 26-6b-3 is amended to read:
             102           26-6b-3. Order of restriction.
             103          (1) The department having jurisdiction over the location where an individual or a group
             104      of individuals who are subject to restriction are found, may:
             105          (a) issue a written order of restriction for the individual or group of individuals
             106      pursuant to Subsection 26-1-30 (2) or 26A-1-114 (1)(b) upon compliance with the requirements
             107      of this chapter; and
             108          (b) issue a verbal order of restriction for an individual or group of individuals pursuant
             109      to Subsection (2)(c).
             110          (2) (a) A department's determination to issue an order of restriction shall be based upon
             111      the totality of circumstances reported to and known by the department, including:
             112          (i) observation;
             113          (ii) information that the department determines is credible and reliable information;
             114      and
             115          (iii) knowledge of current public health risks based on medically accepted guidelines as
             116      may be established by the Department of Health by administrative rule.
             117          (b) An order of restriction issued by a department must:
             118          (i) in the opinion of the public health official, be for the shortest reasonable period of
             119      time necessary to protect the public health;
             120          (ii) use the least intrusive method of restriction that, in the opinion of the department,


             121      is reasonable based on the totality of circumstances known to the health department issuing the
             122      order of restriction;
             123          (iii) be in writing unless the provisions of Subsection (2)(c) apply; and
             124          (iv) contain notice of an individual's rights as required in Section 26-6b-3.3 .
             125          (c) (i) A department may issue a verbal order of restriction, without prior notice to the
             126      individual or group of individuals if the delay in imposing a written order of restriction would
             127      significantly jeopardize the department's ability to prevent or limit:
             128          (A) the transmission of a communicable or possibly communicable disease that poses a
             129      threat to public health;
             130          (B) the transmission of an infectious agent or possibly infectious agent that poses a
             131      threat to public health; [or]
             132          (C) the exposure or possible exposure of a chemical or biological agent that poses a
             133      threat to public health; or
             134          (D) the exposure or transmission of a condition that poses a threat to public health.
             135          (ii) A verbal order of restriction issued under the provisions of Subsection (2)(c)(i):
             136          (A) is valid for 24 hours from the time the order of restriction is issued;
             137          (B) may be verbally communicated to the individuals or group of individuals subject to
             138      restriction by a first responder;
             139          (C) may be enforced by the first responder until the department is able to establish and
             140      maintain the place of restriction; and
             141          (D) may only be continued beyond the initial 24 hours if a written order of restriction is
             142      issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 26-6b-3.3 .
             143          (3) Pending issuance of a written order of restriction under Section 26-6b-3.3 , or
             144      judicial review of an order of restriction by the district court pursuant to Section 26-6b-6 , an
             145      individual who is subject to the order of restriction may be required to submit to involuntary
             146      examination, quarantine, isolation, or treatment in his home, a hospital, or any other suitable
             147      facility under reasonable conditions prescribed by the department.
             148          (4) The department that issued the order of restriction shall take reasonable measures,
             149      including the provision of medical care, as may be necessary to assure proper care related to the
             150      reason for the involuntary examination, treatment, isolation, or quarantine of an individual
             151      ordered to submit to an order of restriction.


             152          Section 3. Section 26-6b-3.3 is amended to read:
             153           26-6b-3.3. Contents of notice of order of restriction -- Rights of individuals.
             154          (1) A written order of restriction issued by a department shall include the following
             155      information:
             156          (a) the identity of the individual or a description of the group of individuals subject to
             157      the order of restriction;
             158          (b) the identity or location of any premises that may be subject to restriction;
             159          (c) the date and time for which the restriction begins and the expected duration of the
             160      restriction;
             161          (d) the suspected communicable disease, infectious, chemical or biological agent, or
             162      other condition that poses a threat to public health;
             163          (e) the requirements for termination of the order of restriction, such as necessary
             164      laboratory reports, the expiration of an incubation period, or the completion of treatment for the
             165      communicable disease;
             166          (f) any conditions on the restriction, such as limitation of visitors or requirements for
             167      medical monitoring;
             168          (g) the medical or scientific information upon which the restriction is based;
             169          (h) a statement advising of the right to a judicial review of the order of restriction by
             170      the district court; and
             171          (i) pursuant to Subsection (2), the rights of each individual subject to restriction.
             172          (2) An individual subject to restriction has the following rights:
             173          (a) the right to be represented by legal counsel in any judicial review of the order of
             174      restriction in accordance with Subsection 26-6b-4 (3);
             175          (b) the right to be provided with prior notice of the date, time, and location of any
             176      hearing concerning the order of restriction;
             177          (c) the right to participate in any hearing, in a manner established by the court based on
             178      precautions necessary to prevent additional exposure to communicable or possibly
             179      communicable diseases or to protect the public health;
             180          (d) the right to respond and present evidence and arguments on the individual's own
             181      behalf in any hearing;
             182          (e) the right to cross examine witnesses; and


             183          (f) the right to review and copy all records in the possession of the department that
             184      issued the order of restriction which relate to the subject of the written order of restriction.
             185          (3) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (1), if a department issues an
             186      order of restriction for a group of individuals, the department may modify the method of
             187      providing notice to the group or modify the information contained in the notice, if the public
             188      health official determines the modification of the notice is necessary to:
             189          (i) protect the privacy of medical information of individuals in the group; or
             190          (ii) provide notice to the group in a manner that will efficiently and effectively notify
             191      the individuals in the group within the period of time necessary to protect the public health.
             192          (b) When a department modifies notice to a group of individuals under Subsection
             193      (3)(a), the department shall provide each individual in the group with notice that complies with
             194      the provisions of Subsection (1) as soon as reasonably practical.
             195          (4) (a) In addition to the rights of an individual described in Subsections (1) and (2), an
             196      individual subject to an order of restriction may not be terminated from employment if the
             197      reason for termination is based solely on the fact that the individual is or was subject to an
             198      order of restriction.
             199          (b) The department issuing the order of restriction shall give the individual subject to
             200      the order of restriction notice of the individual's employment rights under Subsection (4)(a).
             201          (c) An employer in the state, including an employer who is the state or a political
             202      subdivision of the state, may not violate the provisions of Subsection (4)(a).
             203          Section 4. Section 26-6b-3.4 is amended to read:
             204           26-6b-3.4. Medical records -- Privacy protections.
             205          (1) (a) Health care providers as defined in Section 78-14-3 , health care facilities
             206      licensed under Title 26, Chapter 21, Health Care Facility Licensing and Inspection Act, and
             207      governmental entities, shall, when requested, provide the public health official and the
             208      individual subject to an order of restriction, a copy of medical records that are relevant to the
             209      order of restriction.
             210          (b) The records requested under Subsection (1)(a) shall be provided as soon as
             211      reasonably possible after the request is submitted to the health care provider or health care
             212      facility, or as soon as reasonably possible after the health care provider or facility receives the
             213      results of any relevant diagnostic testing of the individual.


             214          (2) (a) The production of records under the provisions of this section is for the benefit
             215      of the public health and safety of the citizens of the state. A health care provider or facility is
             216      encouraged to provide copies of medical records or other records necessary to carry out the
             217      purpose of this chapter free of charge.
             218          (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (2)(c), a health care facility that is a
             219      state governmental entity shall provide medical records or other records necessary to carry out
             220      the purposes of this chapter, free of charge.
             221          (c) If a health care provider or health care facility does not provide medical records free
             222      of charge under the provisions of Subsection (2)(a) or (b), the health care provider or facility
             223      may charge a fee for the records that does not exceed the presumed reasonable charges
             224      established for workers' compensation by administrative rule adopted by the Labor
             225      Commission.
             226          (3) Medical records held by a court related to orders of restriction under this chapter
             227      shall be sealed by the district court at the conclusion of the case.
             228          Section 5. Section 26-6b-4 is amended to read:
             229           26-6b-4. Judicial review by the district court -- Required notice -- Representation
             230      by counsel -- Conduct of proceedings.
             231          (1) The provisions of this section and Sections 26-6b-5 through 26-6b-7 apply if a
             232      department issues an order for restriction, and:
             233          (a) an individual subject to the order of restriction refuses to consent to the order of
             234      restriction;
             235          (b) an individual subject to an order of restriction has withdrawn consent to an order of
             236      restriction under the provisions of Subsection 26-6b-3.1 (1)(b)(iv)(B); or
             237          (c) the department chooses to not attempt to obtain consent to an order of restriction
             238      and files an action for judicial review of the order of restriction.
             239          (2) (a) If the individual who is subject to an order of restriction is in custody, the
             240      department, which is the petitioner, shall provide to the individual written notice of the petition
             241      for judicial review of the order of restriction and hearings held pursuant to Sections 26-6b-5
             242      through 26-6b-7 as soon as practicable, and shall send the notice to the legal guardian, legal
             243      counsel for the parties involved, and any other persons and immediate adult family members
             244      whom the individual or the district court designates. The notice shall advise these persons that


             245      a hearing may be held within the time provided by this chapter.
             246          (b) If the individual has refused to permit release of information necessary for the
             247      provision of notice under this Subsection (2), the extent of notice shall be determined by the
             248      district court.
             249          (c) Notwithstanding the notice requirement in Subsection (2)(a), if the court determines
             250      that written notice to each individual in a group of individuals subject to an order of restriction
             251      is not practical considering the circumstances of the threat to public health, the court may order
             252      the department to provide notice to the individual or group of individuals in a manner
             253      determined by the court.
             254          (3) (a) If the individual who is subject to an order of restriction is in custody, he shall
             255      be afforded an opportunity to be represented by counsel. If neither the individual nor others
             256      provide for counsel, the district court shall appoint counsel and allow counsel sufficient time to
             257      consult with the individual prior to the hearing. If the individual is indigent, the payment of
             258      reasonable [attorneys'] attorney fees for counsel, as determined by the district court, shall be
             259      made by the county in which the individual resides or was found.
             260          (b) The [individual, the petitioner, and all other persons to whom notice is required to
             261      be given shall be afforded an opportunity to] parties may appear at the hearings, to testify, and
             262      to present and cross-examine witnesses. The district court may, in its discretion, receive the
             263      testimony of any other individual.
             264          (c) The district court may allow a waiver of the individual's right to appear only for
             265      good cause shown, and that cause shall be made a part of the court record.
             266          (d) The district court may order that the individual participate in the hearing by
             267      telephonic or other electronic means if the individual's condition poses a health threat to those
             268      who physically attend the hearing or to others if the individual is transported to the court.
             269          (4) The district court may, in its discretion, order that the individual be moved to a
             270      more appropriate treatment, quarantine, or isolation facility outside of its jurisdiction, and may
             271      transfer the proceedings to any other district court within this state where venue is proper,
             272      provided that the transfer will not be adverse to the legal interests of the individual.
             273          (5) All persons to whom notice is required to be given may attend the hearings. The
             274      district court may exclude from the hearing all persons not necessary for the conduct of the
             275      proceedings.


             276          (6) All hearings shall be conducted in as informal a manner as may be consistent with
             277      orderly procedure, and in a physical setting that is not likely to have a harmful effect on the
             278      health of the individual or others required to participate in the hearing.
             279          (7) The district court shall receive all relevant and material evidence which is offered,
             280      subject to Utah Rules of Evidence.
             281          (8) The district court may order law enforcement to assist the petitioner in locating the
             282      individuals subject to restriction and enforcing the order of restriction.
             283          Section 6. Section 26-6b-5 is amended to read:
             284           26-6b-5. Petition for judicial review of order of restriction -- Court-ordered
             285      examination period.
             286          (1) (a) A department may petition for a judicial review of the department's order of
             287      restriction for an individual or group of individuals who are subject to restriction by filing a
             288      written petition with the district court of the county in which the individual or group of
             289      individuals reside or are located.
             290          (b) (i) The county attorney for the county where the individual or group of individuals
             291      reside or are located shall represent the local health department in any proceedings under this
             292      chapter.
             293          (ii) The Office of the Attorney General shall represent the department when the
             294      petitioner is the Department of Health in any proceedings under this chapter.
             295          (2) The [application] petition under Subsection (1) shall be accompanied by:
             296          (a) written affidavit of the department stating:
             297          (i) a belief the individual or group of individuals are subject to restriction;
             298          (ii) a belief that the individual or group of individuals who are subject to restriction are
             299      likely to fail to submit to examination, treatment, quarantine, or isolation if not immediately
             300      restrained;
             301          (iii) this failure would pose a threat to the public health; and
             302          (iv) the personal knowledge of the individual's or group of individuals' condition or the
             303      circumstances that lead to that belief; and
             304          (b) a written statement by a licensed physician indicating the physician finds the
             305      individual or group of individuals are subject to restriction.
             306          (3) The court shall issue an [examination] order of restriction requiring the individual


             307      or group of individuals to submit to involuntary restriction to protect the public health if the
             308      district court finds:
             309          (a) there is a reasonable basis to believe that the individual's or group of individuals'
             310      condition requires involuntary examination, quarantine, treatment, or isolation pending
             311      examination and hearing; or
             312          (b) the individual or group of individuals have refused to submit to examination by a
             313      health professional as directed by the department or to voluntarily submit to examination,
             314      treatment, quarantine, or isolation.
             315          (4) If the individual or group of individuals who are subject to restriction are not in
             316      custody, the court may make its determination and issue its [examination] order of restriction
             317      in an ex parte hearing.
             318          (5) At least 24 hours prior to the hearing required by Section 26-6b-6 , the department
             319      which is the petitioner, shall report to the court, in writing, the opinion of qualified health care
             320      providers:
             321          (a) regarding whether the individual or group of individuals are infected by or
             322      contaminated with:
             323          (i) [are afflicted with an infectious] a communicable or possible communicable disease
             324      that [is] poses a threat to [the] public health;
             325          (ii) [are contaminated with a chemical or biological] an infectious agent or possibly
             326      infectious agent that [is] poses a threat to [the] public health; [or]
             327          (iii) [are in a condition, the exposure to which] a chemical or biological agent that
             328      poses a threat to public health; or
             329          (iv) a condition that poses a threat to public health;
             330          (b) that despite the exercise of reasonable diligence, the diagnostic studies have not
             331      been completed;
             332          (c) whether the individual or group of individuals have agreed to voluntarily comply
             333      with necessary examination, treatment, quarantine, or isolation; and
             334          (d) whether the petitioner believes the individual or group of individuals will comply
             335      without court proceedings.
             336          Section 7. Section 26-6b-6 is amended to read:
             337           26-6b-6. Court determination for an order of restriction after examination


             338      period.
             339          (1) The district court shall set a hearing regarding the involuntary order of restriction of
             340      an individual or group of individuals, to be held within ten business days of the issuance of its
             341      [examination] order of restriction issued pursuant to Section 26-6b-5 , unless the petitioner
             342      informs the district court prior to this hearing that the individual or group of individuals:
             343          (a) are not subject to restriction; or
             344          (b) have stipulated to the issuance of an order of restriction.
             345          [(2) (a) If the individual or group of individuals are not subject to restriction, the court
             346      may, without taking any further action, terminate the proceedings and dismiss the petition.]
             347          [(b)] (2) If the individual or an individual in a group of individuals has stipulated to the
             348      issuance of an order of restriction, the court may issue an order as provided in Subsection (6)
             349      for those individuals without further hearing.
             350          (3) (a) If the examination report required in Section 26-6b-5 proves the individual or
             351      group of individuals are not subject to restriction, the court may without further hearing
             352      terminate the proceedings and dismiss the petition.
             353          (b) The court may, after a hearing at which the individual or group of individuals are
             354      present in person or by telephonic or other electronic means and have had the opportunity to be
             355      represented by counsel, extend its [examination] order of restriction for a reasonable period,
             356      not to exceed 90 days, if the court has reason to believe the individual or group of individuals
             357      are infected by or contaminated with:
             358          (i) [are contaminated with a chemical or biological agent] a communicable or possibly
             359      communicable disease that [is] poses a threat to [the] public health; [or]
             360          (ii) an infectious agent or possibly infectious agent that poses a threat to public health;
             361          (iii) a chemical or biological agent that poses a threat to public health; or
             362          [(ii) are in] (iv) a condition[, the exposure to which] that poses a threat to public
             363      health, but, despite the exercise of reasonable diligence the diagnostic studies have not been
             364      completed.
             365          (4) The petitioner shall, at the time of the hearing, provide the district court with the
             366      following items, to the extent that they have been issued or are otherwise available:
             367          (a) the order of restriction issued by the petitioner;
             368          (b) admission notes if any individual was hospitalized; and


             369          (c) medical records pertaining to the current order of restriction.
             370          (5) The information provided to the court under Subsection (4) shall also be provided
             371      to the individual's or group of individual's counsel at the time of the hearing, and at any time
             372      prior to the hearing upon request of counsel.
             373          (6) (a) The district court shall order the individual and each individual in a group of
             374      individuals to submit to the order of restriction if, upon completion of the hearing and
             375      consideration of the record, it finds by clear and convincing evidence that:
             376          (i) the individual or group of individuals are infected with a communicable disease or
             377      infectious agent, are contaminated with a chemical or biological agent, or are in a condition[,
             378      the exposure to which] that poses a threat to public health[, or are in a condition which if
             379      treatment is not completed the individual or group of individuals will pose a threat to public
             380      health];
             381          (ii) there is no appropriate and less restrictive alternative to a court order of
             382      examination, quarantine, isolation, and treatment, or any of them;