This bill addresses the privacy of a victim and witness in a criminal investigation or action.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah law would gain new rules governing how personal electronic data belonging to crime victims and witnesses—such as phone contents, photos, or files that aren't already required to be turned over as evidence—can be accessed by defendants and their attorneys during criminal cases. Under this bill, such private data generally stays in the custody of law enforcement, prosecutors, or the court, and defense attorneys could request to view it through a secure "virtual room," at the facility where it's stored, or in limited cases obtain a copy with court approval and a protective order, while intimate images would carry a presumption against disclosure. Defendants representing themselves without an attorney could not access this data directly; instead, a court could appoint an attorney solely to search the material for evidence relevant to the case, with that attorney paid through the state's indigent defense system. Law enforcement and prosecuting agencies would also be required to adopt policies ensuring this private data is used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes and stored securely, and prosecutors would have to tell defendants which devices were searched or downloaded during an investigation and where that evidence came from.
Current version: SB0290S03 (Substitute)
Introduction
Feb 12
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Feb 24
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 25
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 3
House Rules
Mar 4
House Committee
Mar 4
House Floor Vote
Mar 6
Governor Signed
Mar 23
IntroductionFeb 12
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeFeb 24
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 25
Senate 3rd ReadingMar 3
House RulesMar 4
House CommitteeMar 4
House Floor VoteMar 6
Governor SignedMar 23
This bill addresses the privacy of a victim and witness in a criminal investigation or action.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah law would gain new rules governing how personal electronic data belonging to crime victims and witnesses—such as phone contents, photos, or files that aren't already required to be turned over as evidence—can be accessed by defendants and their attorneys during criminal cases. Under this bill, such private data generally stays in the custody of law enforcement, prosecutors, or the court, and defense attorneys could request to view it through a secure "virtual room," at the facility where it's stored, or in limited cases obtain a copy with court approval and a protective order, while intimate images would carry a presumption against disclosure. Defendants representing themselves without an attorney could not access this data directly; instead, a court could appoint an attorney solely to search the material for evidence relevant to the case, with that attorney paid through the state's indigent defense system. Law enforcement and prosecuting agencies would also be required to adopt policies ensuring this private data is used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes and stored securely, and prosecutors would have to tell defendants which devices were searched or downloaded during an investigation and where that evidence came from.
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