The 2006 general session began on January 16th and will commence on March 1st. Below is a summary of bills that are currently under review in the legislature and UCASA's positions on these bills. Information in this section will be updated during Utah’s legislative session and a summary will be provided at the end of the session. If you have questions about these issues, or other issues not included, please feel free to contact UCASA. We welcome your input, ideas and involvement. To find out who your representatives are and review information on the 2006 general session, please visit the :Utah State Legislature.

Some of this year's key policy issues deal with the extremely complicated issues surrounding the management of convicted sex offenders. UCASA takes a neutral position on several of these bills due to concerns about the unintended consequences of tracking and the lack of evidence that re-offending can be reduced in any way through the sex offender registry. UCASA supports legislation that identifies and holds offenders accountable, establishes and/or maintains funding for victim services and prevention, expands the rights of victims to have access to information, advocacy, crisis intervention, treatment, education and prevention services. UCASA supports legislation that enhances and/or maintains the rights of a victim to make choices about reporting, prosecution, pregnancy, future safety, and other issues raised by the experience.

• HB 10 Domestic Violence and Dating Violence Amendments This bill provides for the issuance, modification, and enforcement of protective orders between individuals who are, or have been, in a dating relationship, and for the provision of services to victims of dating violence. Position: Support :bill text and status

• HB 30 Emancipation of a Minor This bill creates a procedure by which a minor 16 years of age or older may petition the juvenile court for a declaration of emancipation. Position: Support :bill text and status

• HB 56 Sex Offender Registration Amendments This bill requires the registration of a sex offender who is committed to the Division of Juvenile Justice Services for secure confinement and who remains in the division's custody 30 days prior to the offender's 21st birthday. Position: Neutral :bill text and status

• HB 61 Criminal Penalty for Animal Cruelty This bill provides that torture of an animal is a felony. Position: Support :bill text and status

• HB 85 Abortion by a Minor - Parental Notification and Consent This bill requires parental consent and notification for abortions performed upon minors. Position: Oppose :bill text and status

• HB 90 Criminal Penalties Amendment This bill modifies the Criminal Code regarding crimes motivated by bias, by providing that courts and the Board of Pardons and Parole consider if the offender's act against a victim includes specified aggravating factors that pose harm to the community. Position: Support :bill text and status

• HB 102 Sentencing for First Degree Felony Murder This bill, known as "Lori's Law", provides that the minimum prison term for first degree murder is 15 years, and establishes a defendant's "position of trust" as an aggravating factor in sentencing murder offenses. Position: Support :bill text and status

• HB 158 Sex Offender Amendments This bill amends provisions related to sex offenders and provides that a driver license or identification card expires on the birth date of the applicant in the first year following the date that the driver license or identification card was issued if the person is required to register as a sex offender. Position: Neutral :bill text and status

• HB 161 Sexual Offenses Against Children This bill increases the sentencing of repeat sexual offenders. Position: Support :bill text and status

• HB 170 Prosecution and Prevention of Child Pornography Offenses Amendment This bill appropriates certain ongoing General Fund monies to fund prosecution, prevention, and treatment of individuals involved in child pornography crimes and other pornography crimes. Position: Support :bill text and status

• HB 208 Aggravated Murder Amendment This bill clarifies that a murder becomes the offense of aggravated murder if committed incident to an act, conduct, or criminal episode during which the defendant also committed another specified crime, such as robbery, arson, or a sexual offense. Position: Support :bill text and status

• HB 212 DNA Database Amendments This bill requires that all persons convicted of a class A misdemeanor provide a DNA specimen, rather than only those persons convicted of class A misdemeanor attempted burglary or sexual abuse of a minor. Position: Support :bill text and status

• HB 318 Sex Offender Registration Revisions This bill requires a sex offender from outside Utah to register within 12 hours of entering Utah, regardless of his length of stay; requires a sex offender who is moving to register a change of address ten days before moving; extends the registration requirements for certain offenses from ten years to lifetime; extends notification requirements to offenders working in all educational institutions; increases the penalty for failure to register from a misdemeanor to a third degree felony and requires mandatory incarceration; and requires the state to maintain the registry on the Internet and index it by surname and postal codes. Position: Neutral :bill text and status

• HB 379 Amendments to Sexually Explicit Business and Escort Service Fund This bill reduces, from 60% to 50%, the percentage of the monies from the Sexually Explicit Business and Escort Service Fund that are used by the Department of Corrections and provides that 10% of the monies from the Sexually Explicit Business and Escort Service Fund shall be used to develop, implement, and maintain a statewide strategy to address sexual violence issues in the state. Position: Support :bill text and status

• SB 7 Child Protection Amendments This bill describes the circumstances and procedures under which a child may be taken into protective custody and provides an expedited hearing process to determine whether a child should be taken into protective custody. Position: Support :bill text and status

• SB 106 Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Protection Orders Act This bill requires that protective orders, and child protective orders, contain a statement that the order complies with the Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act. Position: Support :bill text and status

• SB 167 Juvenile Offenses - Diversion Amendment This bill provides that in specified situations involving sexual activity between two persons younger than 16, the court may use the sentencing option of diversion. Position: Support :bill text and status

Break the Silence, Break the Cycle, Join the Movement

UCASA's annual sexual assault awareness month (SAAM) award ceremony will be held on april 11th. This event is free and open to service providers throughout the state. To nominate someone for a SAAM award, call or email ucasa and provide some general information about the nominee or review the nomation info. and complete the nomination form.

to add a SAAM event to the statewide calendar, call or email ucasa.

Webcast: Dating and Violence Should Never be a Couple - Preventing Teen Dating Violence
This webcast will feature presentations on Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice-funded programs targeting teen dating violence.
February 7th, noon-2:00pm
:register

Webforum: Planning Outreach Activities for National Crime Victims' Rights Week
Conference Call Presenter: Anne Seymour
February 8th, noon

For more than 20 years, Ms. Seymour has helped grass roots organizations maximize and leverage their collaborative efforts. She is cofounder and senior advisor of Justice Solutions, a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC, that specializes in criminal and juvenile justice, crime victims’ rights and services, and community safety. Ms. Seymour has coauthored resource guides for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week throughout her career and is a contributing editor of the Crime Victims Report. Ms. Seymour is also the project director for OVC’s Oral History Project and National Public Awareness Campaign Project. She has developed and implemented training and technical assistance programs to strengthen victims’ rights and the services provided to them in law enforcement, prosecution, the judiciary, juvenile justice, and community and institutional corrections.

Visit the OVC web forum to submit questions for Ms. Seymour and return on February 8th at 2 p.m. (eastern time) for the live discussion.

Webforum: Toward a Community Solution - Advancing Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women
Conference Call Host and Presenters: David Lee, Prevention Connection, Larry Cohen and Rachel Davis of Prevention Institute
February 16th, noon-1:30pm

This session highlights the Spectrum of Prevention, the foundation of Prevention Connection's web conference and web dialogues. Similar versions of this session were previously presented in March and June. This session is highly recommended for those who have not attended this session before. Participation in this session is required to participate in future web dialogues.
:register

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Course
This 40-hour course, sponsored by Salt Lake Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SL SANE), meets all requirements established by the International Association of Forensic Nurses in didactic training as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. This material is required for those interested in sitting for the national certification examination in Adolescent - Adult Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. This training is open to any registered or advanced practice nurse with an interest in sexual assault. The cost for the course is $225.

sexual assault nurse examiner (sane) course
march 13-17, 2006
provo, utah
:more information :register

VDAY... Until the Violence Stops
A college campaign to stop violence against women and girls

February 8th, 7:00pm
Utah Valley State College, Center Stage - Sorenson Student Center
800 West University Pkwy
Orem, Utah
$10 for general public and $7 for students

The students of Utah Valley State College and the Gender Studies Department are proud to present a benefit production of The Vagina Monologues to raise awareness and funds for local organizations working to end violence against women and girls. Procedes benefit the Donner/Galbraith Fund. To purchase tickets visit the Student Center.

February 10th, 7:00pm
Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah
$20 for general public and $15 for students

The University of Utah ASUU presents a producation of Eve Ensler's 'The Vagina Monologues'. Join the University of Utah as they celebrate women, raise awareness and envision a world without violence. Starring local university talent, including University of Utah students and staff, plus: The Saliva Sisters, City Council Woman Nancy Saxton, Senator Alicia Suazo, Josie Valdez (wife of representative Mark Archuleta), and Holly Mullens of The Salt Lake Tribune. Procedes benefit the University of Utah Women's Resource Center. Tickets available at the Kingsbury Hall box office. :more information

February 11th, 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Weber State University
Wilcat Theatre - Student Union Building
Ogden, Utah
$15 for general public and $10 for students

the students of Weber State University are proud to present a benefit production of The Vagina Monologues to raise awareness and funds for local organizations working to end violence against women and girls. This production includes a cast of three students and four members of the faculty and community. Procedes benefit the Domestic Violence Victim Assistance Center at the Ogden YCC. Purchase tickets at the door. Seating is limited. :more information

February 16th, 17th and 18th, 7:30pm
Westminister College
Dumke Black Box Theatre
1840 South 1300 East Jewette Conservatory
Salt Lake City, Utah
$10 for general public and $8 for students

Westminster College and the Westminster Theatre Society are proud to present a benefit production of The Vagina Monologues to raise awareness and funds for local organizations working to end violence against women and girls. Procedes benefit the Rape Recovery Center. For tickets and information call 801-832-2457.

March 6th, 7th and 8th, 7:30pm
Southern Utah University
Sharwan Smith Center, Starlight Room
Cedar City, Utah

Southern Utah University is proud to present a benefit production of The Vagina Monologues to raise awareness and funds for local organizations working to end violence against women and girls. Procedes benefit the SUU Women's Center. For tickets and information call 435-586-7700. :more information

If you would like to be removed from this list, please write to info@ucasa.org

sexual assault awareness month (saam) awards ceremony
april 11th, 2006
:more information

crime victims rights week
april 23rd - 29th, 2006

dvsava
tooele, utah
february 7th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 21st and 23rd, 5:00-9:00pm, february 11th and 18th, 8am-5pm
:more information :register

ycc
ogden, utah
march 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st and 23rd, 5:00-9:00pm, march 11th and 18th, 8am-5pm
:more information :register

rape recovery center
salt lake city, utah
may 9th, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th and 18th, 5:30-9:30pm, may 13th and 20th, 9am-5pm
:more information :register

ucasa trainings meet the continuing education requirements for social work.

sexual assault nurse examiner (sane) course
march 13-17, 2006
provo, utah
:more information :register

19th annual crime victims conference
april 20-21, 2006
south towne exposition center
sandy, utah
:more information