S.B. 86

1

REPEAL OF LIBEL AND SLANDER
2 PROVISIONS
3 2007 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Scott D. McCoy
6 House Sponsor: Scott L Wyatt
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill modifies the Criminal Code to repeal the unconstitutional criminal libel
11 provision and to repeal related sections. This bill also repeals criminal slander statutes.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . repeals the criminal libel statute, which was found unconstitutional by the Utah
15 Supreme Court;
16 . repeals the definition and presumptions relating to the criminal libel offense; and
17 . repeals the Criminal Code offense of slander regarding female chastity.
18 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 REPEALS:
24 76-9-501, as enacted by Chapter 196, Laws of Utah 1973
25 76-9-502, as last amended by Chapter 241, Laws of Utah 1991
26 76-9-507, as last amended by Chapter 241, Laws of Utah 1991
27 76-9-508, as last amended by Chapter 20, Laws of Utah 1995

28
29 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
30 Section 1. Repealer.
31 This bill repeals:
32 Section 76-9-501,"Libel" defined.
33 Section 76-9-502, Libel -- Elements -- Classification of offense.
34 Section 76-9-507, Slander -- Imputing unchastity to female.
35 Section 76-9-508, Slander -- Imputation need not be proven false -- Truth as
36 defense.




Legislative Review Note
as of 11-16-06 8:42 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel