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S.B. 236
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JUDICIARY AMENDMENTS
2
2008 GENERAL SESSION
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STATE OF UTAH
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Chief Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard
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House Sponsor:
Kay L. McIff
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LONG TITLE
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General Description:
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This bill makes technical changes to the judiciary statutes and conforming changes
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throughout the code.
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Highlighted Provisions:
12
This bill:
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. clarifies requirements for judicial review of an offer of restriction in situations
14
which may pose a threat to public health;
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. clarifies that the district court has appellate jurisdiction over justice and small
16
claims court decisions;
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. clarifies juvenile court jurisdiction;
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. eliminates the requirement that the petitioner on a child protective order notify the
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court of their current address 30 days before the expiration date;
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. sets a specific time period for a child protective order; and
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. clarifies justice court jurisdiction over minors.
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Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
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None
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Other Special Clauses:
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None
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Utah Code Sections Affected:
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AMENDS:
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10-3-1106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 260
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26-6b-3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 185
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26-6b-3.3, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 185
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26-6b-3.4, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 185
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26-6b-4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 185
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26-6b-5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 185
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26-6b-6, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 38
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78-3-4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 201
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78-3a-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapters 55, 132, and 281
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78-3h-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 157
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78-3h-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 326
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78-5-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 215
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78-45-7.2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapters 282 and 354
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REPEALS:
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78-5-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 365
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Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
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Section 1.
Section
10-3-1106
is amended to read:
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10-3-1106. Discharge, suspension without pay, or involuntary transfer -- Appeals
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-- Board -- Procedure.
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(1) An employee to which Section
10-3-1105
applies may not be discharged, suspended
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without pay, or involuntarily transferred to a position with less remuneration:
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(a) because of the employee's politics or religious belief; or
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(b) incident to, or through changes, either in the elective officers, governing body, or
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heads of departments.
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(2) (a) If an employee is discharged, suspended for more than two days without pay, or
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involuntarily transferred from one position to another with less remuneration for any reason,
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the employee may, subject to Subsection (2)(b), appeal the discharge, suspension without pay,
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or involuntary transfer to a board to be known as the appeal board, established under
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Subsection (7).
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(b) If the municipality provides an internal grievance procedure, the employee shall
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exhaust the employee's rights under that grievance procedure before appealing to the board.
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(3) (a) Each appeal under Subsection (2) shall be taken by filing written notice of the
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appeal with the municipal recorder within ten days after:
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(i) if the municipality provides an internal grievance procedure, the employee receives
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notice of the final disposition of the municipality's internal grievance procedure; or
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(ii) if the municipality does not provide an internal grievance procedure, the discharge,
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suspension, or involuntary transfer.
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(b) (i) Upon the filing of an appeal under Subsection (3)(a), the municipal recorder
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shall forthwith refer a copy of the appeal to the appeal board.
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(ii) Upon receipt of the referral from the municipal recorder, the appeal board shall
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forthwith commence its investigation, take and receive evidence, and fully hear and determine
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the matter which relates to the cause for the discharge, suspension, or transfer.
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(4) An employee who is the subject of the discharge, suspension, or transfer may:
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(a) appear in person and be represented by counsel;
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(b) have a public hearing;
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(c) confront the witness whose testimony is to be considered; and
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(d) examine the evidence to be considered by the appeal board.
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(5) (a) (i) Each decision of the appeal board shall be by secret ballot, and shall be
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certified to the recorder within 15 days from the date the matter is referred to it, except as
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provided in Subsection (5)(a)(ii).
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(ii) For good cause, the board may extend the 15-day period under Subsection (5)(a)(i)
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to a maximum of 60 days, if the employee and municipality both consent.
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(b) If it finds in favor of the employee, the board shall provide that the employee shall
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receive:
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(i) the employee's salary for the period of time during which the employee is
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discharged or suspended without pay; or
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(ii) any deficiency in salary for the period during which the employee was transferred
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to a position of less remuneration.
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(6) (a) A final action or order of the appeal board may be [appealed to] reviewed by the
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Court of Appeals by filing with that court a [notice of appeal] petition for review.
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(b) Each [notice of appeal] petition under Subsection (6)(a) shall be filed within 30
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days after the issuance of the final action or order of the appeal board.
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(c) The Court of Appeals' review shall be on the record of the appeal board and for the
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purpose of determining if the appeal board abused its discretion or exceeded its authority.
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(7) (a) The method and manner of choosing the members of the appeal board, the
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number of members, the designation of their terms of office, and the procedure for conducting
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an appeal and the standard of review shall be prescribed by the governing body of each
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municipality by ordinance.
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(b) For a municipality operating under a form of government other than a
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council-mayor form under Part 12, Optional Forms of Municipal Government Act, an
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ordinance adopted under Subsection (7)(a) may provide that the governing body of the
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municipality shall serve as the appeal board.
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Section 2.
Section
26-6b-3
is amended to read:
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26-6b-3. Order of restriction.
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(1) The department having jurisdiction over the location where an individual or a group
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of individuals who are subject to restriction are found, may:
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(a) issue a written order of restriction for the individual or group of individuals
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pursuant to Subsection
26-1-30
(2) or
26A-1-114
(1)(b) upon compliance with the requirements
107
of this chapter; and
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(b) issue a verbal order of restriction for an individual or group of individuals pursuant
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to Subsection (2)(c).
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(2) (a) A department's determination to issue an order of restriction shall be based upon
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the totality of circumstances reported to and known by the department, including:
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(i) observation;
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(ii) information that the department determines is credible and reliable information;
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and
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(iii) knowledge of current public health risks based on medically accepted guidelines as
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may be established by the Department of Health by administrative rule.
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(b) An order of restriction issued by a department must:
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(i) in the opinion of the public health official, be for the shortest reasonable period of
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time necessary to protect the public health;
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(ii) use the least intrusive method of restriction that, in the opinion of the department,
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is reasonable based on the totality of circumstances known to the health department issuing the
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order of restriction;
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(iii) be in writing unless the provisions of Subsection (2)(c) apply; and
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(iv) contain notice of an individual's rights as required in Section
26-6b-3.3
.
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(c) (i) A department may issue a verbal order of restriction, without prior notice to the
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individual or group of individuals if the delay in imposing a written order of restriction would
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significantly jeopardize the department's ability to prevent or limit:
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(A) the transmission of a communicable or possibly communicable disease that poses a
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threat to public health;
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(B) the transmission of an infectious agent or possibly infectious agent that poses a
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threat to public health; [or]
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(C) the exposure or possible exposure of a chemical or biological agent that poses a
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threat to public health; or
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(D) the exposure or transmission of a condition that poses a threat to public health.
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(ii) A verbal order of restriction issued under the provisions of Subsection (2)(c)(i):
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(A) is valid for 24 hours from the time the order of restriction is issued;
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(B) may be verbally communicated to the individuals or group of individuals subject to
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restriction by a first responder;
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(C) may be enforced by the first responder until the department is able to establish and
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maintain the place of restriction; and
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(D) may only be continued beyond the initial 24 hours if a written order of restriction is
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issued pursuant to the provisions of Section
26-6b-3.3
.
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(3) Pending issuance of a written order of restriction under Section
26-6b-3.3
, or
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judicial review of an order of restriction by the district court pursuant to Section
26-6b-6
, an
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individual who is subject to the order of restriction may be required to submit to involuntary
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examination, quarantine, isolation, or treatment in his home, a hospital, or any other suitable
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facility under reasonable conditions prescribed by the department.
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(4) The department that issued the order of restriction shall take reasonable measures,
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including the provision of medical care, as may be necessary to assure proper care related to the
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reason for the involuntary examination, treatment, isolation, or quarantine of an individual
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ordered to submit to an order of restriction.
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Section 3.
Section
26-6b-3.3
is amended to read:
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26-6b-3.3. Contents of notice of order of restriction -- Rights of individuals.
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(1) A written order of restriction issued by a department shall include the following
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information:
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(a) the identity of the individual or a description of the group of individuals subject to
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the order of restriction;
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(b) the identity or location of any premises that may be subject to restriction;
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(c) the date and time for which the restriction begins and the expected duration of the
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restriction;
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(d) the suspected communicable disease, infectious, chemical or biological agent, or
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other condition that poses a threat to public health;
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(e) the requirements for termination of the order of restriction, such as necessary
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laboratory reports, the expiration of an incubation period, or the completion of treatment for the
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communicable disease;
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(f) any conditions on the restriction, such as limitation of visitors or requirements for
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medical monitoring;
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(g) the medical or scientific information upon which the restriction is based;
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(h) a statement advising of the right to a judicial review of the order of restriction by
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the district court; and
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(i) pursuant to Subsection (2), the rights of each individual subject to restriction.
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(2) An individual subject to restriction has the following rights:
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(a) the right to be represented by legal counsel in any judicial review of the order of
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restriction in accordance with Subsection
26-6b-4
(3);
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(b) the right to be provided with prior notice of the date, time, and location of any
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hearing concerning the order of restriction;
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(c) the right to participate in any hearing, in a manner established by the court based on
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precautions necessary to prevent additional exposure to communicable or possibly
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communicable diseases or to protect the public health;
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(d) the right to respond and present evidence and arguments on the individual's own
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behalf in any hearing;
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(e) the right to cross examine witnesses; and
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(f) the right to review and copy all records in the possession of the department that
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issued the order of restriction which relate to the subject of the written order of restriction.
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(3) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (1), if a department issues an
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order of restriction for a group of individuals, the department may modify the method of
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providing notice to the group or modify the information contained in the notice, if the public
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health official determines the modification of the notice is necessary to:
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(i) protect the privacy of medical information of individuals in the group; or
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(ii) provide notice to the group in a manner that will efficiently and effectively notify
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the individuals in the group within the period of time necessary to protect the public health.
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(b) When a department modifies notice to a group of individuals under Subsection
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(3)(a), the department shall provide each individual in the group with notice that complies with
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the provisions of Subsection (1) as soon as reasonably practical.
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(4) (a) In addition to the rights of an individual described in Subsections (1) and (2), an
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individual subject to an order of restriction may not be terminated from employment if the
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reason for termination is based solely on the fact that the individual is or was subject to an
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order of restriction.
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(b) The department issuing the order of restriction shall give the individual subject to
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the order of restriction notice of the individual's employment rights under Subsection (4)(a).
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(c) An employer in the state, including an employer who is the state or a political
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subdivision of the state, may not violate the provisions of Subsection (4)(a).
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Section 4.
Section
26-6b-3.4
is amended to read:
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26-6b-3.4. Medical records -- Privacy protections.
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(1) (a) Health care providers as defined in Section
78-14-3
, health care facilities
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licensed under Title 26, Chapter 21, Health Care Facility Licensing and Inspection Act, and
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governmental entities, shall, when requested, provide the public health official and the
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individual subject to an order of restriction, a copy of medical records that are relevant to the
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order of restriction.
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(b) The records requested under Subsection (1)(a) shall be provided as soon as
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reasonably possible after the request is submitted to the health care provider or health care
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facility, or as soon as reasonably possible after the health care provider or facility receives the
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results of any relevant diagnostic testing of the individual.
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(2) (a) The production of records under the provisions of this section is for the benefit
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of the public health and safety of the citizens of the state. A health care provider or facility is
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encouraged to provide copies of medical records or other records necessary to carry out the
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purpose of this chapter free of charge.
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(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (2)(c), a health care facility that is a
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state governmental entity shall provide medical records or other records necessary to carry out
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the purposes of this chapter, free of charge.
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(c) If a health care provider or health care facility does not provide medical records free
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of charge under the provisions of Subsection (2)(a) or (b), the health care provider or facility
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may charge a fee for the records that does not exceed the presumed reasonable charges
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established for workers' compensation by administrative rule adopted by the Labor
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Commission.
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(3) Medical records held by a court related to orders of restriction under this chapter
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shall be sealed by the district court at the conclusion of the case.
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Section 5.
Section
26-6b-4
is amended to read:
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26-6b-4. Judicial review by the district court -- Required notice -- Representation
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by counsel -- Conduct of proceedings.
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(1) The provisions of this section and Sections
26-6b-5
through
26-6b-7
apply if a
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department issues an order for restriction, and:
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(a) an individual subject to the order of restriction refuses to consent to the order of
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restriction;
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(b) an individual subject to an order of restriction has withdrawn consent to an order of
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restriction under the provisions of Subsection
26-6b-3.1
(1)(b)(iv)(B); or
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(c) the department chooses to not attempt to obtain consent to an order of restriction
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and files an action for judicial review of the order of restriction.
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(2) (a) If the individual who is subject to an order of restriction is in custody, the
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department, which is the petitioner, shall provide to the individual written notice of the petition
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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
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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
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a hearing may be held within the time provided by this chapter.
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(b) If the individual has refused to permit release of information necessary for the
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provision of notice under this Subsection (2), the extent of notice shall be determined by the
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district court.
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(c) Notwithstanding the notice requirement in Subsection (2)(a), if the court determines
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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
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the department to provide notice to the individual or group of individuals in a manner
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determined by the court.
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(3) (a) If the individual who is subject to an order of restriction is in custody, he shall
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be afforded an opportunity to be represented by counsel. If neither the individual nor others
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provide for counsel, the district court shall appoint counsel and allow counsel sufficient time to
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consult with the individual prior to the hearing. If the individual is indigent, the payment of
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reasonable [attorneys'] attorney fees for counsel, as determined by the district court, shall be
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made by the county in which the individual resides or was found.
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(b) The [individual, the petitioner, and all other persons to whom notice is required to
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be given shall be afforded an opportunity to] parties may appear at the hearings, to testify, and
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to present and cross-examine witnesses. The district court may, in its discretion, receive the
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testimony of any other individual.
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(c) The district court may allow a waiver of the individual's right to appear only for
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good cause shown, and that cause shall be made a part of the court record.
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(d) The district court may order that the individual participate in the hearing by
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telephonic or other electronic means if the individual's condition poses a health threat to those
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who physically attend the hearing or to others if the individual is transported to the court.
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(4) The district court may, in its discretion, order that the individual be moved to a
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more appropriate treatment, quarantine, or isolation facility outside of its jurisdiction, and may
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transfer the proceedings to any other district court within this state where venue is proper,
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provided that the transfer will not be adverse to the legal interests of the individual.
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(5) All persons to whom notice is required to be given may attend the hearings. The
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district court may exclude from the hearing all persons not necessary for the conduct of the
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proceedings.
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(6) All hearings shall be conducted in as informal a manner as may be consistent with
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orderly procedure, and in a physical setting that is not likely to have a harmful effect on the
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health of the individual or others required to participate in the hearing.
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(7) The district court shall receive all relevant and material evidence which is offered,
280
subject to Utah Rules of Evidence.
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(8) The district court may order law enforcement to assist the petitioner in locating the
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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
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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
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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;
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(iii) this failure would pose a threat to the public health; and
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(iv) the personal knowledge of the individual's or group of individuals' condition or the
303
circumstances that lead to that belief; and
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(b) a written statement by a licensed physician indicating the physician finds the
305
individual or group of individuals are subject to restriction.
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(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
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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;