Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 301 First Substitute (2021GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Pierucci, C.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/16/2021

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• requires the Department of Public Safety and Peace Officer Standards and Training create a training program for law enforcement officers in:
• recognizing domestic violence indicators;
• providing lethality assessments; and
• writing reports on incidents; and
• directs the Division of Child and Family Services to work with to the Department of Public Safety and the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice with data on domestic violence for reporting to the Legislature.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRAINING AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Candice B. Pierucci
Senate Sponsor: 
Lincoln Fillmore
Cosponsors:
Cheryl K. Acton
Melissa G. Ballard
Brady Brammer
Jefferson S. Burton
Suzanne Harrison
Marsha Judkins
Rosemary T. Lesser
Karianne Lisonbee
Susan Pulsipher
Angela Romero
Christine F. Watkins
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill provides for domestic violence and lethality assessment training for law
enforcement officers and reporting requirements.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ requires the Department of Public Safety and Peace Officer Standards and Training
create a training program for law enforcement officers in:
• recognizing domestic violence indicators;
• providing lethality assessments; and
• writing reports on incidents; and
▸ directs the Division of Child and Family Services to work with to the Department of
Public Safety and the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice with data
on domestic violence for reporting to the Legislature.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
78B-7-120
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
78B-7-120
 is enacted to read:
 78B-7-120.
Law enforcement -- Training -- Domestic violence -- Lethality
assessments.
(1) The Department of Public Safety shall develop training in domestic violence
responses and lethality assessment protocols, which include the following:
(a) recognizing the symptoms of domestic violence and trauma;
(b) an evidence-based assessment to identify victims of domestic violence who may be
at a high risk of being killed by a perpetrator;
(c) lethality assessment protocols and interviewing techniques, including indicators of
strangulation;
(d) responding to the needs and concerns of a victim of domestic violence;
(e) delivering services to victims of domestic violence in a compassionate, sensitive,
and professional manner; and
(f) understanding cultural perceptions and common myths of domestic violence.
(2) The department shall develop and offer an online training course in domestic
violence issues to all certified law enforcement officers in the state.
(3) Training in domestic violence issues shall be incorporated into training offered by
the Peace Officer Standards and Training division to all persons seeking certification as a peace
officer.
(4) The department shall develop specific training curriculums that meet the
requirements of this section, including:
(a) response to domestic violence incidents, including trauma-informed and
victim-centered interview techniques;
(b) lethality assessment protocols which have been demonstrated to minimize
retraumatizing victims; and
(c) standards for report writing.
(5) The Department of Public Safety, in partnership with the Division of Child and
Family Services and the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, shall work to identify
aggregate domestic violence data to include:
(a) lethality assessments;
(b) the prevalence of stalking;
(c) strangulation;
(d) violence in the presence of children; and
(e) threats of suicide or homicide.
(6) The Department of Public Safety, with support from the Commission on Criminal
and Juvenile Justice and the Division of Child and Family Services shall provide
recommendations to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee not later
than July 31 of each year and in the commission's annual report required by Section
63M-7-205
.