This bill addresses the Child Welfare Parental Representation Program.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's Child Welfare Parental Representation Program, which supports legal representation for parents in child welfare cases, currently limits its training and support services to attorneys under contract with the program. This bill removes that requirement, allowing the program to provide education and support to all parental representation attorneys regardless of contract status, and eliminates the current mandate that the office contract with a qualified person and an attorney to run the program. It also authorizes the program to distribute grants for indigent parents' legal defense through the Indigent Defense Commission and to formally administer the existing Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Program. Additionally, the bill changes how the program's annual budget is prepared, requiring it to reflect the actual amount spent on contracts, the Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Program, and other costs in the prior year, rather than an estimate of needed funds.
Introduction
Jan 23
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Feb 3
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 4
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 9
House Rules
Feb 9
House Committee
Feb 17
House Floor Vote
Feb 19
Governor Signed
Mar 23
IntroductionJan 23
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeFeb 3
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 4
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 9
House RulesFeb 9
House CommitteeFeb 17
House Floor VoteFeb 19
Governor SignedMar 23
This bill addresses the Child Welfare Parental Representation Program.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's Child Welfare Parental Representation Program, which supports legal representation for parents in child welfare cases, currently limits its training and support services to attorneys under contract with the program. This bill removes that requirement, allowing the program to provide education and support to all parental representation attorneys regardless of contract status, and eliminates the current mandate that the office contract with a qualified person and an attorney to run the program. It also authorizes the program to distribute grants for indigent parents' legal defense through the Indigent Defense Commission and to formally administer the existing Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Program. Additionally, the bill changes how the program's annual budget is prepared, requiring it to reflect the actual amount spent on contracts, the Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Program, and other costs in the prior year, rather than an estimate of needed funds.
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