2
3
4
5
6
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill requires the creation of a mobile application an individual may use to access
11 help related to domestic violence and sexual assault.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 ▸ defines terms;
15 ▸ requires the creation of a mobile application to assist victims of domestic violence
16 and sexual abuse;
17 ▸ requires certain state entities to develop, support, and maintain the mobile
18 application; and
19 ▸ dictates certain elements to be included in the mobile application.
20 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
21 None
22 Other Special Clauses:
23 None
24 Utah Code Sections Affected:
25 ENACTS:
26 77-36-11, Utah Code Annotated 1953
27
28 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29 Section 1. Section 77-36-11 is enacted to read:
30 77-36-11. Sexual assault and domestic violence victim amendments.
31 (1) As used in this section:
32 (a) "Department" means the Department of Technology Services.
33 (b) "Domestic violence" means the same as that term is defined in Section 31A-21-501.
34 (c) "Mobile application" means the Utah Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
35 Support Mobile Application described in this section.
36 (d) "Qualified professional" means a medical or clinical professional who is trained in
37 areas related to domestic violence and sexual assault.
38 (e) "Sexual assault" means any criminal conduct described in Title 76, Chapter 5, Part
39 4, Sexual Offenses.
40 (f) "User" means an individual that downloads or makes use of the mobile application.
41 (2) The department shall design and create the Utah Domestic Violence and Sexual
42 Assault Support Mobile Application, in consultation with the state entities described in Section
43 (4).
44 (3) The mobile application shall:
45 (a) provide users with real-time support and advisement as described in this section;
46 and
47 (b) include the following options on the mobile application's user interface:
48 (i) a "Start a Chat" option, that connects users seeking guidance or other assistance
49 related to domestic violence or sexual assault to a qualified professional employed by the Utah
50 Department of Health via text message;
51 (ii) a "Start a Call" option, that connects users seeking guidance or other assistance
52 related to domestic violence or sexual assault to a qualified professional employed by the Utah
53 Department of Health via phone call;
54 (iii) a "My Records" option, allowing users to store and collect photos, emails, texts,
55 and other electronic evidence of abuse in one secure location; and
56 (iv) a "Locate Me" option, allowing an individual in fear of an attack to alert the
57 database of the individual's location.
58 (4) The department shall consult the following state entities in developing the mobile
59 application:
60 (a) the Department of Health;
61 (b) the University of Utah; and
62 (c) the Division of Child and Family Services.
63 (5) To the extent possible, the department shall, in connection with the University of
64 Utah, develop the mobile application using the programming created by the University of Utah
65 for the SafeUT application.
66 (6) The Department of Technology Services shall administer and maintain the mobile
67 application, in consultation with the Department of Health, to ensure that:
68 (a) users are able to reach a qualified professional by text or call through the mobile
69 application 24 hours a day, each day of the year; and
70 (b) the identity of the user is kept confidential.
71 (7) The Department of Health shall provide qualified professionals to respond to phone
72 calls and texts initiated by use of the mobile application.