Utah 2026 General Session Status: To Executive Bipartisan · 1 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 455 — Peace Officer and Dispatcher Standards Amendments

Last action — House/ filed

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 02, 2026. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 62% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

160 added · 150 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the updated version of Bill HB 455, the text has been modified to clarify that the director of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Division, as well as the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, can now allow applicants with expunged or dismissed criminal offenses to take certification examinations for peace officers and dispatchers, respectively. This change is significant because it opens the door for individuals who may have made past mistakes to pursue careers in law enforcement, potentially increasing diversity and inclusivity within the field. The amendments also make some technical changes for clarity without altering the core intent of the bill.

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02-23 11:39 1st Sub.
HB0455S01 compared with HB0455 {Omitted text} shows text that was in HB0455 but was omitted in HB0455S01 inserted text shows text that was not in HB0455 but was inserted into HB0455S01 DISCLAIMER:
(Buff) H.B.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
455 Matt MacPherson proposes the following substitute bill:
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Therefore, you need to read the actual bills.
This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
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or other causes.
Stephanie Pitcher 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
3 LONG TITLE General Description:
▸ allows a peace officer applicant who has an expunged or dismissed disqualifying criminal offense in certain circumstances to be admitted to a certified academy and to take a peace officer certification examination;
▸ allows {the director of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Division, in the director's discretion and under certain circumstances, to allow } a peace officer applicant who has an expunged or dismissed disqualifying criminal offense in certain circumstances to be admitted to a certified academy and to take a peace officer certification examination;
▸ allows a dispatcher applicant who has an expunged or dismissed disqualifying criminal offense in certain circumstances to take a dispatcher certification examination;
▸ allows {the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, in the commissioner's discretion and under certain circumstances, to allow } a dispatcher applicant who has an expunged or dismissed disqualifying criminal offense in certain circumstances to take a dispatcher certification examination;
and ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
and H ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
B Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None Other Special Clauses:
4 None 5 HB0455 compared with HB0455S01 Other Special Clauses:
None 1 Utah Code Sections Affected:
None Utah Code Sections Affected:
s t AMENDS:
AMENDS:
S 53-6-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 175 b 53-6-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapters 175, 194 .
53-6-203 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 175 53-6-302 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapters 175, 194 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
H .
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
B .
5 53-6-203 .
53-6-203.
1st Sub.
(a) be:
(Buff) H.B.
455 02-23 11:39 (a) be:
(f) be free of any physical, emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect the performance of the applicant's duties as a peace officer;
- 2 - HB0455 compared with HB0455S01 (f) be free of any physical, emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect the performance of the applicant's duties as a peace officer;
(2)(a) An application for admission to a training program shall be accompanied by a criminal history background check of local, state, and national criminal history files and a background investigation.
(2) (a) An application for admission to a training program shall be accompanied by a criminal history background check of local, state, and national criminal history files and a background investigation.
[(3)(a) Notwithstanding any expungement statute or rule of any other jurisdiction, any conviction obtained in this state or other jurisdiction, including a conviction that has been expunged, dismissed, or treated in a similar manner to either of these procedures, may be considered for purposes of this section.] (3)(a) An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense for which the applicant could have been punished by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or by - 2 - 02-23 11:39 1st Sub.
[(3) (a) Notwithstanding any expungement statute or rule of any other jurisdiction, any conviction obtained in this state or other jurisdiction, including a conviction that has been expunged, dismissed, or treated in a similar manner to either of these procedures, may be considered for purposes of this section.] (3) (a) An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense for which the applicant could have been punished by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or by imprisonment in the penitentiary of this state or another state may be accepted for admission to a training program conducted by a certified academy and allowed to take a certification examination if:
(Buff) H.B.
455 imprisonment in the penitentiary of this state or another state may be accepted for admission to a training program conducted by a certified academy and allowed to take a certification examination if:
(iii) the criminal offense for which the applicant was convicted was not:
(iii) the criminal offense for which the applicant was convicted was not {a violent felony as that term is defined in Section 76-3-203.5;} :
(iv) at least 10 years have passed since the day on which the applicant was convicted of the criminal offense and the applicant has not been convicted of another criminal offense, not including a traffic offense that is a class C misdemeanor or infraction;
(iv) at least 10 years have passed since the day on which the applicant was convicted of the criminal offense and the applicant has not been convicted of another criminal offense, not including a traffic offense that is a class C misdemeanor or infraction;and (v) the applicant meets all other applicable requirements under this section{;
and (v) the applicant meets all other applicable requirements under this section.
and} .
(b) [This provision ] This Subsection (3) applies to convictions entered both before and after the effective date of this section.
- 3 - HB0455 compared with HB0455S01 (b) [ (vi) {the director, in the director's discretion, has approved the applicant to be accepted for admission to the certified academy and allowed to take the certification examination.} {A decision by the director under Subsection (3)(a)(vi) is final and may not be appealed.} {[(b)] (c)} [} This provision ] This Subsection (3) applies to convictions entered both before and after the effective date of this section.
53-6-302 .
53-6-302.
- 3 - 1st Sub.
(ii) a United States national;
(Buff) H.B.
455 02-23 11:39 (ii) a United States national;
(e) have demonstrated good moral character, as determined by a background investigation;
- 4 - HB0455 compared with HB0455S01 (e) have demonstrated good moral character, as determined by a background investigation;
(2)(a) An application for certification shall be accompanied by a criminal history background check of local, state, and national criminal history files and a background investigation.
(2) (a) An application for certification shall be accompanied by a criminal history background check of local, state, and national criminal history files and a background investigation.
[(3)(a) Notwithstanding Title 77, Chapter 40a, Expungement of Criminal Records, regarding expungements, or a similar statute or rule of any other jurisdiction, any conviction obtained in this state or other jurisdiction, including a conviction that has been expunged, dismissed, or treated in a similar manner to either of these procedures, may be considered for purposes of this section.] (3)(a) An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense for which the applicant could have been punished by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or by imprisonment in the penitentiary of this state or another state may be allowed to take a dispatcher certification examination if:
[(3) (a) Notwithstanding Title 77, Chapter 40a, Expungement of Criminal Records, regarding expungements, or a similar statute or rule of any other jurisdiction, any conviction obtained in this state or other jurisdiction, including a conviction that has been expunged, dismissed, or treated in a similar manner to either of these procedures, may be considered for purposes of this section.] (3) (a) An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense for which the applicant could have been punished by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or by imprisonment in the penitentiary of this state or another state may be allowed to take a dispatcher certification examination if:
Show all 49 changed rows (9 more)
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Latest
(ii) the applicant is not a restricted person under Section 76-11-302, Section - 4 - 02-23 11:39 1st Sub.
(ii) the applicant is not a restricted person under Section 76-11-302, Section 76-11-303, or federal law;
(Buff) H.B.
(iii) the criminal offense for which the applicant was convicted was not {a violent felony as that term is defined in Section 76-3-203.5;} :
455 76-11-303, or federal law;
(iii) the criminal offense for which the applicant was convicted was not:
(iv) at least 10 years have passed since the day on which the applicant was convicted of the criminal offense and the applicant has not been convicted of another criminal offense, not including a traffic offense that is a class C misdemeanor or infraction;
(iv) at least 10 years have passed since the day on which the applicant was convicted of the criminal offense and the applicant has not been convicted of another criminal offense, not including a traffic offense that is a class C misdemeanor or infraction;and (v) the applicant meets all other applicable requirements under this section{;
and (v) the applicant meets all other applicable requirements under this section.
and} .
(b) [Subsection (3)(a) applies to convictions entered both before and after May 1, 1995] This Subsection (3) applies to any conviction regardless of the date when the conviction was entered.
(b) [ - 5 - HB0455 compared with HB0455S01 (vi) {the commissioner, in the commissioner's discretion, has approved the applicant to take the dispatcher certification examination.} {A decision by the commissioner under Subsection (3)(a)(vi) is final and may not be appealed.} {[(b)] (c)} [} Subsection (3)(a) applies to convictions entered both before and after May 1, 1995] This Subsection (3) applies to any conviction regardless of the date when the conviction was entered.
Effective date.
- 5 -
2-10-26 2:35 PM - 6 -
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How this bill changes current law

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Compared against the Utah Code as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill allows applicants with expunged or dismissed disqualifying criminal offenses to be admitted to training programs or take certification examinations for peace officers and dispatchers under certain conditions.

  • 53-6-203

    have not been convicted of a crime → except as provided in Subsection (3), not have a conviction for a criminal offense for which the applicant could have been punished by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or by imprisonment in the penitentiary of this or another state, including a conviction that has been expunged or dismissed, or treated in a similar manner to expungement or dismissal;

    This change modifies the disqualification requirements for peace officer applicants regarding prior convictions.

  • 53-6-203

    (3)(a) Notwithstanding any expungement statute or rule of any other jurisdiction, any conviction obtained in this state or other jurisdiction, including a conviction that has been expunged, dismissed, or treated in a similar manner to either of these procedures, may be considered for purposes of this section. → (3)(a) An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense for which the applicant could have been punished by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or by imprisonment in the penitentiary of this state or another state may be accepted for admission to a training program conducted by a certified academy and allowed to take a certification examination if:

    This introduces provisions for considering applicants with certain expunged or dismissed convictions.

  • 53-6-203

    {a violent felony as that term is defined in Section 76-3-203.5;} → (A) a violent felony as that term is defined in Section 76-3-203.5; or (B) a felony offense described in Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 4, Sexual Offenses;

    This adds specific exclusions for certain serious crimes that disqualify applicants.

  • 53-6-302

    have not been convicted of a crime → except as provided in Subsection (3), not have a conviction for a criminal offense for which the applicant could have been punished by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or by imprisonment in the penitentiary of this or another state, including a conviction that has been expunged, dismissed, or treated in a similar manner to expungement or dismissal;

    This change modifies the disqualification requirements for dispatcher applicants regarding prior convictions.

  • 53-6-302

    (3)(a) Notwithstanding Title 77, Chapter 40a, Expungement of Criminal Records, regarding expungements, or a similar statute or rule of any other jurisdiction, any conviction obtained in this state or other jurisdiction, including a conviction that has been expunged, dismissed, or treated in a similar manner to either of these procedures, may be considered for purposes of this section. → (3)(a) An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense for which the applicant could have been punished by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or by imprisonment in the penitentiary of this state or another state may be allowed to take a dispatcher certification examination if:

    This provides clarity for considering applicants with certain expunged or dismissed convictions.

  • 53-6-302

    {a violent felony as that term is defined in Section 76-3-203.5;} → (A) a violent felony as that term is defined in Section 76-3-203.5; or (B) a felony offense described in Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 4, Sexual Offenses;

    This adds specific exclusions for certain serious crimes that disqualify applicants.

Action History

  1. House/ filed

  2. House/ received from Senate

  3. Senate/ to House

  4. Senate/ strike enacting clause

  5. Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]

  6. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  7. Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]

  8. Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]

  9. Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]

  10. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  11. Senate/ received from House

  12. House/ to Senate

  13. House/ passed 3rd reading

  14. House/ 3rd reading

  15. House/ 2nd reading

  16. House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]

  17. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]

  18. House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]

  19. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0455S01

  20. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0455S01

  21. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0455S01

  22. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0455S01

  23. House/ to standing committee [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]

  24. House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  25. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0455

  26. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0455

  27. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  28. House/ received bill from Legislative Research

  29. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0455

  30. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0455

  31. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  32. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (102)

102 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 102 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 455?
HB 455 is sponsored by Stephanie Pitcher (Democrat) and Matt MacPherson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 455?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 02, 2026. It awaits signature.
Where can I track HB 455?
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