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MINUTES OF THE

HOUSE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING

20 House Building, Utah State Capitol Complex

February 21, 2014

Members Present:    Rep. Kay L. McIff, Chair
        Rep. Lee B. Perry, Vice Chair
        Rep. Patrice Arent                
        Rep. LaVar Christensen
        Rep. Brian M. Greene
        Rep. Craig Hall
        Rep. Eric K Hutchings
        Rep. Brian S. King
        Rep. V. Lowry Snow                
        
Staff Present:    Ms. Chelsea Lloyd, Policy Analyst
        Ms. Linda Black, Committee Secretary
    

NOTE:    A list of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with the committee minutes.

Chair McIff called the meeting to order at 2:13 p.m.

MOTION:    Rep. Arent moved to approve the minutes of February 19, 2014 meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Hall, Rep. Hutchings, Rep. Snow and Rep. Perry absent for the vote.

1st Sub. H.B. 213    Criminal Penalties for Sexual Contact with a Student (Rep. L. Christensen)

Rep. Christensen explained the bill to the committee.

MOTION:    Rep. Christensen moved to amend the bill as follows:


1.    Page 1, Line 15 :    

             15      of the term "position of special trust" and clarifying that the definition
  of a teacher       includes


2.    Page 3, Line 58 :    

             58      older than the minor
  or holds a relationship of special trust as an adult teacher, employee, or volunteer, as described in Subsection 76-5-404.1(c)(xix)       and, under circumstances not amounting to rape, in violation of Section


3.    Page 3, Line 85 :    

             85      reasonably should have known the age of the minor;
{   or   }


4.    Page 3, Line 87 :    

             87      in any conduct listed in Subsection (2)(b)
  ; or

(iii) or holds a relationship of special trust as an adult teacher, employee, or volunteer, as described in Subsection 76-5-404.1(c)(xix)  
.


The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Hall, Rep. Hutchings, Rep. Perry, and Rep. Snow absent for the vote.

Spoke to the bill:    Mr. Daniel Harper, General Counsel, Canyon School District

MOTION:    Rep. King moved to pass the bill out favorably as amended. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Greene, Rep. Hall, and Rep. Snow absent for the vote.

2nd Sub. H.B. 256    Adoption Records Access Amendments (Rep. J. Nielson)

Rep. Nielson explained the bill to the committee and provided a handout, "H.B. 256, Adoption Records Access Amendments" to the committee.

MOTION:    Rep. Arent moved to replace 1st Substitute H.B. 256 with 2nd Substitute H.B. 256. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Greene and Rep. Perry absent for
        for the vote.

MOTION:    Rep. Arent moved to amend the bill as follows:

1.    Page 5, Lines 121 through 125 :    

             121      has demonstrated a direct, tangible, and legitimate interest.
             122          (3) (a) For purposes of this Subsection (3), "adoption documents" is as defined in
             123      Section 78B-6-103 .
             124          (b) Only the Office of Vital Records and Statistics or a
{   Utah district   } court may issue

             125      adoption documents.

2.    Page 8, Lines 215 through 219 :    

             215      any other personwith respect to the child.
             216          (3) "Adoption documents" means adoption-related documents filed with a
{   Utah district   }

             217      court or with the office, including a petition for adoption, the written report described in

             218      Section 78B-6-135 , any other documents filed in connection with the petition, and a decree of
             219      adoption.

3.    Page 14, Line 405 through Page 15, Line 432 :    

             405          (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), for an adoption finalized on or after
             406      January 1, 2015, the office shall make the adoption documents available for inspection and
             407      copying to a party to the adoption proceeding if the party who requests the documents:
             408          (i) is an adult at the time of the request; and
             409          (ii) makes the request on a form designated by the office.
             410          (b) Subject to
{   Subsections   }        Subsection       (3)(d)      {   and (e)   } , for an adoption finalized on or after January

             411      1, 2015, a birth mother may, at or after the time of finalization, file a written document with the
             412      office stating that she refuses to permit identifying information about the birth mother to be
             413      made available for inspection or copying.
             414          (c) Subject to
{   Subsections   }        Subsection       (3)(d)      {   and (e)   } , if a birth mother elects, under Subsection

             415      (3)(b), to refuse to permit identifying information about the birth mother to be made available
             416      for inspection or copying, the office shall, before providing copies of the adoption documents
             417      to an individual other than the birth mother, redact all identifying information about the birth
             418      mother.
             419          (d)
{   Subject to Subsection (3)(e),   }      {   a   }        A       birth mother may, at any time, file a written

             420      document with the office to:
             421          (i) change the election described in Subsection (3)(b); or
             422          (ii) elect to make other information about herself, including an updated medical
             423      history, available for inspection and copying by a party to the adoption proceeding if the party
             424      who requests the information is an adult at the time of the request.
             425          
{   (e) (i) If the birth mother is a minor at the time of finalization, only the

birth mother's


             426      parent or legal guardian may consent to and sign the birth mother's written refusal under
             427      Subsection (3)(b).
             428          (ii) If the birth mother is a minor at the time she decides to change the election or make
             429      other information about herself available under Subsection (3)(d), only the birth mother's
             430      parent or legal guardian may consent to and sign the birth mother's written election under
             431      Subsection (3)(d).   }
             432          [(2) The] (4) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the adoption documents

The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Greene and Rep. Perry absent for the vote.

MOTION:    Chair McIff moved to further amend the bill as follows:

1.    Page 2, Lines 54 through 55 :    

             54           78B-6-116 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
      78B-6-124, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 137 and renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3      

             55           78B-6-141 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 340

2.    Page 5, Lines 121 through 125 :    

             121      has demonstrated a direct, tangible, and legitimate interest.
             122          (3) (a) For purposes of this Subsection (3), "adoption documents" is as defined in
             123      Section 78B-6-103 .
             124          (b) Only the Office of Vital Records and Statistics or a
{   Utah district   } court may issue

             125      adoption documents.

3.    Page 8, Lines 215 through 220 :    

             215      any other person with respect to the child.
             216          (3) "Adoption documents" means adoption-related documents filed with a
{   Utah district   }

             217      court or with the office, including a petition for adoption, the written report described in
             218      Section 78B-6-135 , any other documents filed in connection with the petition, and a

decree of
             219      adoption.
             220          [(3)] (4) "Adoption service provider" means a:

4.    Page 13, Lines 391 through 392 :    

             391          (7) A court may, based on a finding of good cause, waive the notification requirement
             392      described in Subsection (6).

      Section 8. Section 78B-6-124 is amended to read:      

     78B-6-124 .   Persons who may take consents and relinquishments.
     (1) A consent or relinquishment by a birth mother or an adoptee shall be signed before:
     (a) a judge of any court that has jurisdiction over adoption proceedings;
     (b) subject to Subsection (6), a person appointed by the judge described in Subsection (1)(a) to take consents or relinquishments; or
     (c) subject to Subsection (6), a person who is authorized by a child-placing agency to take consents or relinquishments, if the consent or relinquishment grants legal custody of the child to a child-placing agency or an extra-jurisdictional child-placing agency.
     (2) If the consent or relinquishment of a birth mother or adoptee is taken out of state it shall be signed before:
     (a) subject to Subsection (6), a person who is authorized by a child-placing agency to take consents or relinquishments, if the consent or relinquishment grants legal custody of the child to a child-placing agency or an extra-jurisdictional child-placing agency;
     (b) subject to Subsection (6), a person authorized or appointed to take consents or relinquishments by a court of this state that has jurisdiction over adoption proceedings;
     (c) a court that has jurisdiction over adoption proceedings in the state where the consent or relinquishment is taken; or
     (d) a person authorized, under the laws of the state where the consent or relinquishment is taken, to take consents or relinquishments of a birth mother or adoptee.
     (3) The consent or relinquishment of any other person or agency as required by Section 78B-6-120 may be signed before a Notary Public or any person authorized to take a consent or relinquishment under Subsection (1) or (2).
  (4) (a) At the time of a birth mother's consent to adoption of a child, or relinquishment of a child for adoption, a person authorized by Subsection (1) or (2) to take consents or relinquishments shall notify the birth mother that adoption documents shall be made available for inspection and copying in accordance with

Subsection 78B-6-141(3), unless the birth mother declines to permit identifying information to be made available for inspection and copying.      


(b) If the birth mother declines to permit identifying information to be made available for inspection and copying, the person authorized by Subsection (1) or (2) to take consents or relinquishments shall assist the birth mother with filing a written document that states the birth mother's refusal in accordance with Subsection 78B-6-141(3).
    
{   (4)   }        (5)       A person, authorized by Subsection (1) or (2) to take consents or relinquishments, shall certify to the best of his information and belief that the person executing the consent or relinquishment has read and understands the consent or relinquishment and has signed it freely and voluntarily.

    
{   (5)   }        (6)       A person executing a consent or relinquishment is entitled to receive a copy of the consent or relinquishment.

    
{   (6)   }        (7)       A signature described in Subsection (1)(b), (1)(c), (2)(a), or (2)(b), shall be:

     (a) notarized; or
     (b) witnessed by two individuals who are not members of the birth mother's or the signatory's immediate family.

Renumber remaining sections accordingly.
5.    Page 14, Line 412 through Line 415 :    

                               412      office stating that she
{   refuses   }        declines       to permit identifying information about the birth mother to be

             413      made available for inspection or copying.
             414          (c) Subject to
{   Subsections   }        Subsection       (3)(d)      {   and (e)   } , if a birth mother elects, under Subsection

             415      (3)(b), to
{   refuse   }        decline       to permit identifying information about the birth mother to be made available


The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Greene absent for the vote.

Spoke for the bill:    Ms. Becky Davis, Utah Adoption Council
            Ms. Penny Bivins, representing herself
            Ms. Laura Plain, representing herself
             Ms. Belinda Collins, representing herself
            Mr. Paul Welsh, representing himself

            Ms. Charlotte Staten, representing herself

Spoke to the bill:    Ms. Laura Bunker, United Families International

MOTION:    Rep. Arent moved to pass the bill out favorably as amended. The motion passed with Rep. Christensen voting in opposition.

1st Sub. H.B. 268    Dangerous Weapons Amendments (Rep. B. Greene)

Rep. Greene explained the bill to the committee.

MOTION:    Rep. Greene moved to reconsider the committee's actions on Amendment #2 from the February 13, 2014 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION:    Rep. Greene moved to amend the bill as follows:

1.    Page 1, Lines 9 through 16 :    

             9          This bill redefines dangerous weapon
{   and exempts   }        , clarifies restrictions relating to dangerous weapons, and establishes exemptions for the use of       archery equipment      {   from the

             10      definition   }
  for hunting and target shooting       .

             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    defines dangerous weapon as a firearm or an object which is used unlawfully to
             14      inflict serious bodily injury;
             15          .    
{   exempts archery equipment, including crossbows, from the definition of dangerous

             16      weapon   }
  clarifies the criminal culpability of transferring a dangerous weapon to a restricted person       ;

    
  . provides that a restricted person may own, possess, or have under the person's custody or control, archery equipment, including crossbows, for the purpose of lawful hunting and target shooting;       and


2.    Page 4, Lines 88 through 101 :    

             88          (6) (a) "Dangerous weapon" means:
             89          (i) a firearm; or
             90          (ii) an
{   item   }        object       that in the manner of its      {   unlawful   } use or intended      {   unlawful   } use is capable

             91
     of causing death or serious bodily injury.
             92          (b) The following factors [shall be] are used in determining whether [a knife, or
             93      another item] any
{   instrument,   } object      {   , or thing   } [not commonly known as a dangerous weapon]

             94      other than a firearm is a dangerous weapon:
             95          (i) the
{   character of the instrument,   }        location and circumstances in which the       object      {   , or thing   }        was used or possessed;

    (ii) the primary purpose for which the object was made  
;

             96          
{   (ii)   }        (iii)       the character of the wound, if any, produced[, if any] by      {   its   }        the object's       unlawful use;

             97          
{   (iii)   }        (iv)       the manner in which the      {   instrument,   } object      {   , or thing   } was unlawfully used; and

             98          
{   (iv)   }        (v)       the [other] lawful purposes for which the      {   instrument,   } object      {   , or thing   } may be used.

             99          
{   (c) Unless specifically identified elsewhere in this code, nothing other than a firearm is

             100      considered a de facto dangerous weapon, and a determination made pursuant to Subsection
             101      (6)(b) may be made only after an instrument, object or thing is used in an unlawful manner.   }

3.    Page 6, Line 179 through Page 7, Line 187 :    

             179          (b) physically possesses, uses, or has under the person's immediate custody or control
             180      any dangerous weapon other than a firearm
{   while committing any felony or other violent

             181      criminal offense   }
  in a manner that constitutes a potential imminent threat to public safety       is guilty of a third degree felony.

             182          (3) A Category II restricted person who intentionally or knowingly:
             183          (a) purchases, transfers, possesses, uses, or has under the person's custody or control[:
             184      (a)] any firearm is guilty of a third degree felony; or
             185          (b) physically possesses, uses, or has under the person's immediate custody or control
             186      any dangerous weapon other than a firearm
{   while committing any felony or other violent

             187
     criminal offense   }
  in a manner that constitutes a potential imminent threat to public safety       is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.


4.    Page 9, Lines 266 through 268 :    

             266          (2) It is not a violation of
{   this chapter   }        Subsection 76-10-503(2) or (3)       for a person        defined in Section 76-10-503(1)       to own, possess, or have under the

             267      person's custody or control, archery equipment, including crossbows, for the purpose of lawful
             268      hunting
{   or   }        and lawful       target shooting.


The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Hall absent for the vote.

Spoke to the bill:    Mr. Paul Boyden, Executive Director, Statewide Association of Prosecutors

MOTION:    Rep. Snow moved to further amend the bill. The motion was withdrawn.

MOTION:    Rep. Snow moved to pass the bill out favorably as amended.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION:    Rep. Arent moved to hold the bill. The motion failed with Rep. Christensen, Rep. Greene, Rep. Hall, Rep. Snow, and Chair McIff voting in opposition. Rep. Hutchings was absent for the vote.

Rep. Snow's original motion passed with Rep. King and Rep. Arent voting in opposition and Rep. Hutchings absent for the vote.

Spoke to the bill:    Mr. Paul Boyden, Executive Director, Statewide Association of Prosecutors

H.J.R. 12    Joint Resolution on Appointment of Legal Counsel for Executive Officers (Rep. M. McKell)

At the request of the sponsor, this bill was not considered.

H.B. 118    Personal Injury Damages Amendments (Rep. K. McIff)

Due to time constraints, this bill was not heard.

H.B. 251    Unsworn Declaration Amendments (Rep. K. McIff)

Due to time constraints, this bill was not heard.



MOTION:    Rep. Perry moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Hutchings absent for the vote.

Chair McIff adjourned the meeting at 4:15 p.m.





                                             ___________________________________
Kay L. McIff, Chair