This bill addresses the admission of attorneys to county jail facilities.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah law currently has no clear statewide rules governing when attorneys can enter county jails to meet with prisoners. This bill would require county sheriffs to allow any attorney licensed in good standing in any state to enter a jail to meet with a current or former client, a prospective client (if the meeting was requested by the prisoner, the prisoner's family, or someone on their behalf, or if it involves a civil rights matter), a potential witness in a case the attorney is prosecuting or defending, or someone with information relevant to such a case. Jails would have to provide a private, confidential meeting space, and sheriffs could limit these visits to standard business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) unless the attorney shows special circumstances, such as an emergency or a situation where waiting would cause legal harm or undue hardship. Sheriffs could designate another staff member to handle these requests, but would have to publicly post that person's name on the sheriff's and jail's websites, and the bill also requires attorneys who leave documents or evidence with a prisoner to follow existing rules on handling such materials. The bill would not limit an attorney's ability to visit a prisoner during regular jail visitation hours.
Introduction
Jan 23
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Feb 6
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 20
Senate 3rd Reading
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Governor
IntroductionJan 23
Senate RulesMar 4
Senate CommitteeFeb 6
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 20
Senate 3rd Reading
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Governor
This bill addresses the admission of attorneys to county jail facilities.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah law currently has no clear statewide rules governing when attorneys can enter county jails to meet with prisoners. This bill would require county sheriffs to allow any attorney licensed in good standing in any state to enter a jail to meet with a current or former client, a prospective client (if the meeting was requested by the prisoner, the prisoner's family, or someone on their behalf, or if it involves a civil rights matter), a potential witness in a case the attorney is prosecuting or defending, or someone with information relevant to such a case. Jails would have to provide a private, confidential meeting space, and sheriffs could limit these visits to standard business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) unless the attorney shows special circumstances, such as an emergency or a situation where waiting would cause legal harm or undue hardship. Sheriffs could designate another staff member to handle these requests, but would have to publicly post that person's name on the sheriff's and jail's websites, and the bill also requires attorneys who leave documents or evidence with a prisoner to follow existing rules on handling such materials. The bill would not limit an attorney's ability to visit a prisoner during regular jail visitation hours.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Senate/ filed
Senate file for bills not passed
Senate/ strike enacting clause
Senate Secretary
Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
Senate Rules Committee
Senate/ circled
Senate 2nd Reading Calendar
Senate/ 2nd reading
Senate 2nd Reading Calendar
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM