S.B. 76 Enrolled

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN PRESENCE OF
CHILD AMENDMENTS
2002 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: David H. Steele
This act modifies the Utah Criminal Code. The act provides that a person is guilty of child
abuse if the person commits an act of domestic violence in the presence of a child. The act
eliminates the requirement that there be one or more prior occasions of acts of domestic
violence in the presence of a child before a person is guilty of child abuse. The act clarifies
that a charge of child abuse arising from domestic violence in the presence of a child is
separate and distinct from a charge of domestic violence where the victim is the cohabitant.
The act adds domestic violence in the presence of a child to the list of acts constituting
domestic violence. The act makes technical changes.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
AMENDS:
76-5-109.1, as last amended by Chapter 81, Laws of Utah 1998
77-36-1, as last amended by Chapter 229, Laws of Utah 1999
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 76-5-109.1 is amended to read:
76-5-109.1. Commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Cohabitant" has the same meaning as defined in Section 30-6-1 .
[(a)] (b) "Domestic violence" [means] has the same meaning as [that term is defined] in
Section 77-36-1 .
[(b)] (c) "In the presence of a child" means:
(i) in the physical presence of a child; or
(ii) having knowledge that a child is present and may see or hear an act of domestic
violence.
(2) A person is guilty of child abuse if [he] the person:

(a) commits or attempts to commit criminal homicide, as defined in Section 76-5-201 ,
against a cohabitant in the presence of a child; or
(b) intentionally causes serious bodily injury to a cohabitant or uses a dangerous weapon,
as defined in Section 76-1-601 , or other means or force likely to produce death or serious bodily
injury against a cohabitant, in the presence of a child; or
(c) under circumstances not amounting to a violation of Subsection (2)(a) or (b), commits
an act of domestic violence in the presence of a child [after having committed:].
[(i) a violation of Subsection (2)(a) or (b) on one or more prior occasions; or]
[(ii) an act of domestic violence in the presence of a child, not amounting to a violation of
Subsection (2)(a) or (b), on one or more prior occasions.]
(3) (a) A person who violates Subsection (2)(a) or (b) is guilty of a third degree felony.
(b) A person who violates Subsection (2)(c) is guilty of a class [A] B misdemeanor.
(4) A charge under this section is separate and distinct from, and is in addition to, a charge
of domestic violence where the victim is the cohabitant. Either or both charges may be filed by the
prosecutor.
Section 2. Section 77-36-1 is amended to read:
77-36-1. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Cohabitant" has the same meaning as in Section 30-6-1 .
(2) "Domestic violence" means any criminal offense involving violence or physical harm
or threat of violence or physical harm, or any attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit a
criminal offense involving violence or physical harm, when committed by one cohabitant against
another. "Domestic violence" also means commission or attempt to commit, any of the following
offenses by one cohabitant against another:
(a) aggravated assault, as described in Section 76-5-103 ;
(b) assault, as described in Section 76-5-102 ;
(c) criminal homicide, as described in Section 76-5-201 ;
(d) harassment, as described in Section 76-5-106 ;

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(e) telephone harassment, as described in Section 76-9-201 ;
(f) kidnaping, child kidnaping, or aggravated kidnaping, as described in Sections 76-5-301 ,
76-5-301.1 , and 76-5-302 ;
(g) mayhem, as described in Section 76-5-105 ;
(h) sexual offenses, as described in Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 4, and Title 76, Chapter 5a;
(i) stalking, as described in Section 76-5-106.5 ;
(j) unlawful detention, as described in Section 76-5-304 ;
(k) violation of a protective order or ex parte protective order, as described in Section
76-5-108 ;
(l) any offense against property described in Title 76, Chapter 6, Part 1, 2, or 3;
(m) possession of a deadly weapon with intent to assault, as described in Section 76-10-507 ;
(n) discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, near a highway, or in the direction of any person,
building, or vehicle, as described in Section 76-10-508 ; [or]
(o) disorderly conduct, as defined in Section 76-9-102 , if a conviction of disorderly conduct
is the result of a plea agreement in which the defendant was originally charged with any of the
domestic violence offenses otherwise described in this Subsection (2). Conviction of disorderly
conduct as a domestic violence offense, in the manner described in this Subsection (2)(o), does not
constitute a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence under 18 U.S.C. Section 921, and is exempt
from the provisions of the federal Firearms Act, 18 U.S.C. Section 921 et seq.; or
(p) child abuse as described in Section 76-5-109.1 .
(3) "Victim" means a cohabitant who has been subjected to domestic violence.

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