This bill amends the offenses of assault and aggravated assault to address the use of a chokehold.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's assault and aggravated assault laws currently apply to actions like putting someone in a chokehold, defined in law as encircling another person's neck with an arm in a tight grip, which could otherwise count as bodily injury or a substantial risk of injury. This bill would create an exception so that using a chokehold does not count as criminal assault or aggravated assault when it happens during training or participation in a sport or activity where chokeholds are a known and accepted part of the practice, such as martial arts, wrestling, or mixed martial arts, and only if both people involved are engaged in that same training or activity. The bill also adds a formal legal definition of "chokehold" to both the assault and aggravated assault statutes, but it does not change the criminal penalties that apply when a chokehold is used outside these specific sporting or training circumstances.
Introduction
Jan 20
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Jan 27
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 13
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 17
House Rules
Feb 17
House Committee
Feb 23
House Floor Vote
Feb 25
Governor Signed
Mar 23
IntroductionJan 20
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeJan 27
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 13
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 17
House RulesFeb 17
House CommitteeFeb 23
House Floor VoteFeb 25
Governor SignedMar 23
This bill amends the offenses of assault and aggravated assault to address the use of a chokehold.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's assault and aggravated assault laws currently apply to actions like putting someone in a chokehold, defined in law as encircling another person's neck with an arm in a tight grip, which could otherwise count as bodily injury or a substantial risk of injury. This bill would create an exception so that using a chokehold does not count as criminal assault or aggravated assault when it happens during training or participation in a sport or activity where chokeholds are a known and accepted part of the practice, such as martial arts, wrestling, or mixed martial arts, and only if both people involved are engaged in that same training or activity. The bill also adds a formal legal definition of "chokehold" to both the assault and aggravated assault statutes, but it does not change the criminal penalties that apply when a chokehold is used outside these specific sporting or training circumstances.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
Senate/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Senate Secretary
Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
Senate Secretary
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Senate Secretary
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM