First Substitute S.B. 8

Senator Ron Allen proposes to substitute the following bill:

1 INVESTIGATION OF POLYGAMIST
2 ACTIVITIES
3 2000 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Ron Allen
6 AN ACT RELATING TO RELATING TO CRIMINAL LAW AND HUMAN SERVICES;
7 APPROPRIATING $250,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000-01 TO THE STATE ATTORNEY
8 GENERAL TO BE USED TO PROSECUTE SPECIFIED TYPES OF CRIMES, AND TO TRAIN
9 LOCAL PROSECUTORS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS REGARDING CRIMES
10 OCCURRING WITHIN ISOLATED OR POLYGAMOUS SOCIETIES; APPROPRIATING
11 $250,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000-01 TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO
12 BE USED FOR A HOTLINE AND TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR FAMILIES LEAVING
13 ISOLATED OR POLYGAMOUS SOCIETIES, AND FOR INVESTIGATION OF WELFARE
14 FRAUD; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
15 This act enacts uncodified material.
16 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
17 Section 1. Appropriation to the state attorney general for program addressing
18 offenses and victims within isolated or polygamous societies.
19 (1) For fiscal year 2000-01 only, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office
20 of the Attorney General $250,000 to fund a training program for local prosecutors and law
21 enforcement officers regarding the investigation and prosecution of offenses committed within
22 isolated or polygamous communities. The training shall include legal, procedural, and cultural
23 awareness training regarding the investigation and prosecution of these offenses. The offenses
24 include:
25 (a) incest;

26 (b) sexual offenses, including sexual abuse, sexual assault, and offenses involving
27 unlawful sexual conduct with a person younger than 18 years of age;
28 (c) welfare fraud;
29 (d) tax fraud; and
30 (e) failure to pay child support.
31 (2) The Office of the Attorney General shall, in carrying out its functions under Subsection
32 (1), work in cooperation with the Department of Human Services as appropriate for the most
33 effective use of the appropriations under this act.
34 (3) The money appropriated under Subsection (1) is nonlapsing.
35 Section 2. Appropriation to the Department of Human Services for programs
36 addressing offenses and victims within isolated or polygamous societies.
37 (1) For fiscal year 2000-01 only, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the
38 Department of Human Services $250,000 to be used for the costs of the following services and
39 functions regarding offenses that are committed within isolated or polygamous communities:
40 (a) the statewide toll-free telephone hotline operated by the department for victims or
41 witnesses of abuse within these communities;
42 (b) temporary emergency housing for large families that are without shelter due to leaving
43 an isolated or polygamous society to escape abuse or criminal conduct; and
44 (c) investigation of allegations of fraudulently obtaining services provided by the
45 department, and the recovery of the money or the value of the services fraudulently obtained.
46 (2) The Department of Human Services shall, in carrying out its functions under
47 Subsection (1), work in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General as appropriate for the
48 most effective use of the appropriations under this act.
49 (3) The money appropriated under Subsection (1) is nonlapsing.
50 Section 3. Effective date.
51 This act takes effect on July 1, 2000.