Urgent: Help Revive SB124 to Protect Utah’s Children
We encourage you to reach out to your House Representatives today to support SB124: Child Welfare Modifications, sponsored by Sen. Escamilla and Rep. Watkins. This important bipartisan bill did not pass the House floor yesterday after misinformation spread suggesting the bill would increase child removals. Because of this, lawmakers need to hear from constituents now. With enough support the bill could still be revived.
About the bill
SB124 strengthens Utah’s child welfare system by creating a clear and balanced approach to child safety. The bill allows courts to issue a Child Safety Warrant, enabling professionals to verify a child’s safety when there is a credible concern and access to the child is being denied.
Importantly, SB124 is not a child removal bill. The warrant allows authorities, with a judge’s approval, to conduct a safety check on a child without automatically removing them from their home.
The bill also sets a high evidentiary standard. A warrant can only be issued when there is a credible threat supported by specific facts, and when authorities have made diligent efforts to contact the family first. This creates a less intrusive alternative to removal when a child’s safety is in question.
Tragedies like Gavin Peterson’s remind us why tools like this matter. When credible concerns arise but access to a child is blocked, authorities must have a responsible way to ensure that child is safe.
SB124 promotes transparent, court-supervised decision-making that protects children while respecting family integrity and parental rights. By clarifying the law and strengthening judicial oversight, the bill supports earlier engagement with families and prevention-focused intervention.
We believe this measured approach strengthens child protection while upholding fairness and due process, and we are proud to support the passage of SB124.
Please contact your House Representatives today and urge them to support reviving SB124. Children who may be suffering behind closed doors deserve the protection this bill provides. Click the button below to use our action alert and notify your representatives today.
