Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 148 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Wilcox, Ryan D.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/27/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• creates an aggravating factor for certain sexual offenses that are committed against a child if the actor:
• traveled more than 45 miles from the actor's residence to commit the offense; or
• paid a child to travel more than 45 miles from the child's residence for the actor to commit the offense.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

3
76-3-203.19
0
Child Sexual Abuse Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Ryan D. Wilcox
Senate Sponsor: Chris H. Wilson
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses an aggravating factor to certain sexual offenses that are committed 
against children.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
creates an aggravating factor for certain sexual offenses that are committed against a child 
if the actor:
traveled more than 45 miles from the actor's residence to commit the offense; or
paid a child to travel more than 45 miles from the child's residence for the actor to 
commit the offense.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
76-3-203.19
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
76-3-203.19
 is enacted to read:
76-3-203.19
. Aggravating factor if actor traveled to commit a child sexual 
offense.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Child sexual offense" means one of the following offenses:
(i)
human trafficking of a child as described in Section 
76-5-308.5
;
(ii)
unlawful sexual activity with a minor as described in Section 
76-5-401
;
(iii)
sexual abuse of a minor as described in Section 
76-5-401.1
;
(iv)
unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old as described in Section 
76-5-401.2
;
(v)
rape of a child as described in Section 
76-5-402.1
;
(vi)
object rape of a child as described in Section 
76-5-402.3
;
(vii)
sodomy on a child as described in Section 
76-5-403.1
;
(viii)
sexual abuse of a child as described in Section 
76-5-404.1
;
(ix)
aggravated sexual abuse of a child as described in Section 
76-5-404.3
;
(x)
unlawful kissing of a child as described in Section 
76-5-416.2
; or
(xi)
unlawful kissing of a minor as described in Section 
76-5-416.4
.
(b)
"Principal place of residence" means the single location where an individual's 
habitation is fixed and to which, whenever the individual is absent, the individual has 
the intention of returning, as evidenced by:
(i)
the intent expressed by the individual; and
(ii)
acts of the individual that are consistent or inconsistent with the intent expressed 
by the individual.
(2)
For a defendant convicted of a child sexual offense, it is an aggravating factor if the 
sentencing court finds that the defendant:
(a)
traveled more than 45 miles from the defendant's principal place of residence for the 
purpose of the defendant committing, or attempting to commit, the child sexual 
offense; or
(b)
paid for, or otherwise facilitated, the victim to travel more than 45 miles from the 
victim's principal place of residence, for the purpose of the defendant committing, or 
attempting to commit, the child sexual offense.
(3)
When sentencing a defendant convicted of a child sexual offense subject to the 
aggravating factor described in Subsection (2), the sentencing court shall consider the 
aggravating factor and include the aggravating factor in the judgment of commitment.
(4)
In determining the length of imprisonment for a defendant imprisoned for a conviction 
of an offense against a child or minor subject to the aggravating factor described in 
Subsection (2), the Board of Pardons and Parole shall consider the aggravating factor.
Section 2. 
Effective date.
This bill takes effect on 
May 7, 2025
.
3-11-25 2:57 PM