Members Present: Sen. Keith Grover, Chair Sen. Don L. Ipson Sen. Kathleen Riebe Sen. Daniel W. Thatcher Sen. Evan J. Vickers Rep. Kim F. Coleman Rep. Sandra Hollins Rep. Kelly B. Miles Rep. Val K. Potter Rep. Marie H. Poulson Rep. Paul Ray | Rep. Angela Romero Rep. Jeffrey D. Stenquist Rep. Mark A. Strong Members Absent: Rep. Lee B. Perry, Chair Rep. Mike Schultz Staff Present: Mr. John Feinauer, Policy Analyst Ms. Esther D. Chelsea-McCarty, Associate General Counsel Ms. Chelsea Grant, Associate General Counsel Ms. Tracey Fredman, Administrative Assistant |
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the
meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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1. Committee Business |
Chair Grover called the meeting to order at 1:22 p.m. |
1a - Sexual Assault Kit Processing, Annual Report [Department of Public Safety] |
John Feinauer noted that the Annual Report from the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services on Sexual Assault Kit Processing was available for viewing on the committee's web page. |
John Feinauer also indicated that the committee chairs have opened a committee bill file to address issues raised by Utah Peace Officers Standards and Training, and that the draft legislation will be presented at the November interim meeting. |
2. Firearm Violence and Data |
2a - Testimony Utah on Red Flag Laws and Universal Background Checks [Crime Prevention Research Center] |
Curtis Oda introduced Dr. John R. Lott, Jr. |
Dr. John Lott, Jr., President, Crime Prevention Research Center, spoke to the issues of red flag laws and universal background checks. |
Ed Rutan, Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, discussed some mental health aspects related to gun violence. |
Meg Walter, Silicon Slopes, spoke in favor of red flag laws. |
Blake McClary, Silicon Slopes, spoke in support of red flag laws. |
Mitch Vilos, attorney, commented on statistics in Utah related to gun crimes. |
MOTION: Rep. Stenquist moved to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2018, meeting. The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-5. | |||
Yeas - 11 | Nays-0 | Abs-5 | |
Rep. K. Coleman Sen. K. Grover Rep. S. Hollins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. K. Miles Rep. V. Potter Rep. M. Poulson Sen. K. Riebe Rep. A. Romero Rep. J. Stenquist Rep. M. Strong | Rep. L. Perry Rep. P. Ray Rep. M. Schultz Sen. D. Thatcher Sen. E. Vickers |
3a - Firearm Violence and Suicide Prevention Amendments [Utah Department of Human Services] |
3. Firearm Safety Program |
3b - Brochure - Creating Safety: Preventing Suicides in Utah [Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition] |
3c - Utah Suicide Facts: Update |
Kim Myers, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services Administrator, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, discussed the implementation of the firearm safety program created in 2019 General Session H.B. 17, "Firearm Violence and Suicide Prevention Amendments." |
4. Firearms and Domestic Violence |
4a - Lethality Assessment Program Update |
4b - Domestic Violence and Firearms in Utah |
Jennifer Oxborrow, Executive Director, Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, discussed the use of firearms in domestic violence cases. |
Clark Aposhian, Chair, Utah Shooting Sports Council, requested specific types of data on individuals involved with domestic violence and suicides involving firearms. |
5. Dangerous Weapons at School |
5a - Presentation, Threats & Dangerous Weapons in Schools |
Will Carlson, Chief Policy Advisor, Justice Division, Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, discussed statutory responses to threats and dangerous weapons in schools. |
Pam Vickrey, Executive Director, Utah Juvenile Defender Attorneys, responding to the committee's discussion, noted that a lack of cases being prosecuted does not indicate a lack of public safety. |
Nancy Halden, citizen, noted that some incidents at schools involving dangerous weapons have not been counted as school incidents if they took place outside of regular school-day hours. |
MOTION: Sen. Thatcher moved to open a committee bill file involving civil commitment firearm restrictions. The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-7. | |||
Yeas - 9 | Nays-0 | Abs-7 | |
Rep. K. Coleman Sen. K. Grover Rep. K. Miles Rep. M. Poulson Rep. P. Ray Sen. K. Riebe Rep. J. Stenquist Rep. M. Strong Sen. D. Thatcher | Rep. S. Hollins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. L. Perry Rep. V. Potter Rep. A. Romero Rep. M. Schultz Sen. E. Vickers |
6. Other Items/Adjourn |
MOTION: Sen. Riebe moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-7. | |||
Yeas - 9 | Nays-0 | Abs-7 | |
Rep. K. Coleman Sen. K. Grover Rep. K. Miles Rep. M. Poulson Rep. P. Ray Sen. K. Riebe Rep. J. Stenquist Rep. M. Strong Sen. D. Thatcher | Rep. S. Hollins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. L. Perry Rep. V. Potter Rep. A. Romero Rep. M. Schultz Sen. E. Vickers |
Chair Grover adjourned the meeting at 3:33 p.m. |