Utah lawmakers opt not to vote on bill that would make it easier for child case workers to obtain warrants
Feb 14, 2025, 2:41 PM
The Utah Capitol on Jan. 21, 2025. (Jeffery D. Allred/Deseret News)
(Jeffery D. Allred/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY— A bill that would make it easier for case workers to obtain search warrants in cases of reported child abuse and or neglect did not make it out of its first committee hearing on Utah’s Capitol Hill on Friday.
HB83, sponsored by Rep. Christine Watkins (R-Price), would allow judges to grant search warrants to case workers with the Division of Child and Family Services if they can’t see or contact a child they were asked to check on for a certain period of time.
“This is (in the case where) we can’t see the kids,” Watkins said. “They’re not in school somewhere, they’re not in church, they’re not outside.”
Watkins told a House committee on Friday that the bill would also push case workers to work with the police, and have law enforcement present when they execute these investigative warrants. She also said, currently, the process of getting a search warrant can take a while.
“Sometimes, it just might be a matter of time, and urgency,” Watkins said.
Watkins told the House Judiciary Committee this bill is in direct response to the high profile cases of Gavin Peterson and the children of Ruby Franke, both of which involved malnutrition and child isolation.
Franke’s children survived, however, 12-year-old Peterson did not.
Multiple public commentors at Friday’s hearing voiced concern with HB83. One commenter, Dalane England, said she wasn’t fully against the bill but she said she had great concerns.
“An accusation doesn’t make someone at fault,” England said. “I want to be sure that we protect due process because there are people who will make false accusations.”
The committee opted not to vote on the bill after some in attendance voiced concern with the idea of making it easier to enter a home over only a report, since some reports are unfounded.
It’s uncertain if HB83 will be amended or get another vote before the end of the General Legislative Session in March.
Adam Small is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio. He primarily reports on the Great Salt Lake and Natural Resources. Follow him on Facebook and X.
