S.B. 182
FailedAttorney Admission to Jail Facilities Amendments
Attorney Admission to Jail Facilities Amendments
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
What This Bill Does
This bill addresses the admission of attorneys to county jail facilities.
Key Provisions
This bill:
- requires a sheriff to allow an attorney to enter a county jail in order to meet with a prisoner under certain circumstances;
- provides requirements and procedures for a meeting between an attorney and a prisoner; and
- allows a sheriff to designate another person to act on behalf of the sheriff regarding the process for a meeting between an attorney and a prisoner.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Utah law currently has no clear statewide rules governing when attorneys can enter county jails to meet with prisoners. This bill requires county sheriffs to allow any attorney licensed in good standing in any state to enter a county jail to meet with a current or former client, a prospective client, or a witness or other individual relevant to a criminal case the attorney is handling. Jails must provide a private, confidential meeting space, and sheriffs can limit visits to standard business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) unless the attorney demonstrates an emergency or that waiting would cause legal harm.
S.B. 182
FailedAttorney Admission to Jail Facilities Amendments
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
What This Bill Does
This bill addresses the admission of attorneys to county jail facilities.
Key Provisions
This bill:
- requires a sheriff to allow an attorney to enter a county jail in order to meet with a prisoner under certain circumstances;
- provides requirements and procedures for a meeting between an attorney and a prisoner; and
- allows a sheriff to designate another person to act on behalf of the sheriff regarding the process for a meeting between an attorney and a prisoner.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Utah law currently has no clear statewide rules governing when attorneys can enter county jails to meet with prisoners. This bill requires county sheriffs to allow any attorney licensed in good standing in any state to enter a county jail to meet with a current or former client, a prospective client, or a witness or other individual relevant to a criminal case the attorney is handling. Jails must provide a private, confidential meeting space, and sheriffs can limit visits to standard business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) unless the attorney demonstrates an emergency or that waiting would cause legal harm.
Votes
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Documents
Committee Hearings
Other Versions
Subjects
Action History24
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 Mar 26, 2026, 9:44 PM