Utah Senate approves HB 28 to tighten short‑term detention, reporting and private probation rules

The Utah State Senate on Feb. 8, 2022, approved Second Substitute House Bill 28, a set of amendments to offender supervision intended to clarify detention authority, reporting and the role of private probation.

Sponsor presentation summarized the bill’s principal components: authorizing a local jail to detain a parolee or probationer for up to 24 hours; requiring the Department of Corrections to detain an individual who violates a probation or parole condition for up to 72 hours; restricting the operation of private probation companies in counties where a government agency provides probation services; specifying that courts and the Board of Pardons and Parole consider the seriousness of violations and the individual’s criminal history under sentencing guidelines; requiring law enforcement agencies to complete pre‑sentence investigation reports; and requiring the Department of Corrections to provide victims notice when an offender’s probation or parole term is expiring and to inform victims about the ability to seek a continuous protective order.

The sponsor waived summation and moved the bill forward. On a roll call taken in open session, Second Substitute HB 28 received 28 yeas, 0 nays and 1 absent and passed the Senate; the President announced it will be sent to the House for further consideration.

Why it matters: HB 28 changes operational rules used by jails and the Department of Corrections and affects how private probation operates in certain counties; it also adds procedural requirements tied to sentencing and victim notification. The Senate record lists the passage and provides the specific time‑limit figures (24 and 72 hours) in the sponsor’s presentation.

What’s next: The bill will be transmitted to the House for its consideration.