HB0260S02 (Substitute)
Unauthorized Practice of Law Amendments
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
House Committee
Jan 28
House Floor Vote
Feb 6
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Feb 25
Senate 2nd Reading
Mar 6
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 6
House Concurrence
Mar 6
Governor Signed
Mar 23
This bill addresses the unauthorized practice of law.
This bill:
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Utah law already prohibits unlicensed persons from practicing law, but this bill significantly strengthens how that prohibition is enforced. It allows courts to immediately respond when they discover someone practicing law without a license in their courtroom — including awarding attorney fees to harmed parties, striking the unauthorized person's legal filings, or referring the matter for prosecution. It also gives the Utah State Bar the explicit authority to sue unlicensed practitioners in civil court, and gives harmed clients their own right to sue for damages and attorney fees. On the criminal side, the bill makes unauthorized practice of law a class A misdemeanor, escalating to a third-degree felony if the person lied about being licensed, caused a client more than $1,000 in losses or seriously harmed their legal rights, or has a prior conviction for the same offense.
Current version: HB0260S02 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
House Committee
Jan 28
House Floor Vote
Feb 6
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Feb 25
Senate 2nd Reading
Mar 6
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 6
House Concurrence
Mar 6
Governor Signed
Mar 23
IntroductionJan 20
House Rules
House CommitteeJan 28
House Floor VoteFeb 6
Senate RulesMar 4
Senate CommitteeFeb 25
Senate 2nd ReadingMar 6
Senate 3rd ReadingMar 6
House ConcurrenceMar 6
Governor SignedMar 23
This bill addresses the unauthorized practice of law.
This bill:
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Utah law already prohibits unlicensed persons from practicing law, but this bill significantly strengthens how that prohibition is enforced. It allows courts to immediately respond when they discover someone practicing law without a license in their courtroom — including awarding attorney fees to harmed parties, striking the unauthorized person's legal filings, or referring the matter for prosecution. It also gives the Utah State Bar the explicit authority to sue unlicensed practitioners in civil court, and gives harmed clients their own right to sue for damages and attorney fees. On the criminal side, the bill makes unauthorized practice of law a class A misdemeanor, escalating to a third-degree felony if the person lied about being licensed, caused a client more than $1,000 in losses or seriously harmed their legal rights, or has a prior conviction for the same offense.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
House/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Clerk of the House
House/ enrolled bill to Printing
Clerk of the House
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Clerk of the House
Last updated Mar 26, 2026, 9:40 PM