Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 53 (2017GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Handy, S.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/17/2017

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• provides that Rachael Runyan/Missing and Exploited Children's Day shall be commemorated annually on August 26.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN'S DAY
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Stephen G. Handy
Senate Sponsor: 
J. Stuart Adams
Cosponsors:
Rebecca P. Edwards
Steve Eliason
Adam Gardiner
Sandra Hollins
Kelly B. Miles
Lee B. Perry
Dixon M. Pitcher
Paul Ray
Edward H. Redd
Angela Romero
Elizabeth Weight
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill modifies provisions relating to commemorative periods.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ provides that Rachael Runyan/Missing and Exploited Children's Day shall be
commemorated annually on August 26.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
63G-1-401
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 218
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
63G-1-401
 is amended to read:
63G-1-401.
Commemorative periods.
(1) The following days shall be commemorated annually:
(a) Bill of Rights Day, on December 15;
(b) Constitution Day, on September 17;
(c) Yellow Ribbon Day, on the third Monday in May, in honor of men and women who
are serving or have served in the United States Armed Forces around the world in defense of
freedom;
(d) POW/MIA Recognition Day, on the third Friday in September;
(e) Indigenous People Day, on the Monday immediately preceding Thanksgiving;
(f) Utah State Flag Day, on March 9;
(g) Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, on March 29;
(h) Utah History Day at the Capitol, on the Friday immediately following the fourth
Monday in January, to encourage citizens of the state, including students, to participate in
activities that recognize Utah's history; [
and
]
(i) Juneteenth Freedom Day, on the third Saturday in June, in honor of Union General
Gordon Granger proclaiming the freedom of all slaves on June 19, 1865, in Galveston,
Texas[
.
]
; and
(j) Rachael Runyan/Missing and Exploited Children's Day, on August 26, the
anniversary of the day three-year-old Rachael Runyan was kidnaped from a playground in
Sunset, Utah, to:
(i) encourage individuals to make child safety a priority;
(ii) remember the importance of continued efforts to reunite missing children with their
families; and
(iii) honor Rachael Runyan and all Utah children who have been abducted or exploited.
(2) The Department of Veterans' and Military Affairs shall coordinate activities, special
programs, and promotional information to heighten public awareness and involvement relating
to Subsections (1)(c) and (d).
(3) The month of October shall be commemorated annually as Italian-American
Heritage Month.
(4) The month of November shall be commemorated annually as American Indian
Heritage Month.
(5) The month of April shall be commemorated annually as Clean Out the Medicine
Cabinet Month to:
(a) recognize the urgent need to make Utah homes and neighborhoods safe from
prescription medication abuse and poisonings by the proper home storage and disposal of
prescription and over-the-counter medications; and
(b) educate citizens about the permanent medication disposal sites in Utah listed on
useonlyasdirected.org that allow disposal throughout the year.
(6) The first full week of May shall be commemorated annually as State Water Week
to recognize the importance of water conservation, quality, and supply in the state.
(7) The second Friday and Saturday in August shall be commemorated annually as
Utah Fallen Heroes Days to:
(a) honor fallen heroes who, during service in the military or public safety, have
sacrificed their lives to protect the country and the citizens of the state; and
(b) encourage political subdivisions to acknowledge and honor fallen heroes.
(8) The third full week in August shall be commemorated annually as Drowsy Driving
Awareness Week to:
(a) educate the public about the relationship between fatigue and driving performance;
and
(b) encourage the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation to
recognize and promote educational efforts on the dangers of drowsy driving.
(9) The third full week of June shall be commemorated annually as Workplace Safety
Week to heighten public awareness regarding the importance of safety in the workplace.