Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah SB141: Child Welfare Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 17, 2026
This bill makes changes related to the Division of Child and Family Services and child welfare processes.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, February 25, 2026:
0 Child Welfare Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper House Sponsor: Christine F. Watkins LONG TITLE General Description: This bill makes changes related to the Division of Child and Family Services and child welfare processes. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - allows the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to share information with the Division of Professional Licensing for certain purposes; - modifies the definition of "relative"; - clarifies the timeline for certain rights for foster parents; - requires DCFS to notify all parties when DCFS files a court report or child and family plan; - requires placement objections to be filed and resolved within a certain time; - addresses shelter removal findings; and - clarifies that a postadoption contact agreement is not limited to children who are in the custody of DCFS. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 80-2-1005 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 17 80-2a-101 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 426 80-2a-304 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 426 80-3-102 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 426 80-3-107 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 426 80-3-301 , as …
Sponsors
- Wayne Harper (R, 16) · primary sponsor
- Watkins, Christine F. (R, 67)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : Senate/ to Governor
- : Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
- : Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
- : Senate/ received from House
- : House/ to Senate
Votes
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 19, 2026): 70 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 13, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 3rd reading (February 10, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 2nd reading (February 9, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation (January 26, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (January 26, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Health Insurance, Health and Human Services, Adoption, Foster Care, Child Welfare, Division of Child and Family Services, Department of Health and Human Services
Common questions
- What is SB141?
- SB141 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Child Welfare Amendments.
- What does SB141 do?
- This bill makes changes related to the Division of Child and Family Services and child welfare processes.
- What is the status of SB141?
- Signed into law as of March 17, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB141?
- Wayne Harper (R, 16), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB141?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0141.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.