SB0024

Digging through legislation to find the rare bills that actually protect the people who matter is usually a headache, but every once in a while, you stumble on something that gets it right, like this one.

SB0024: the Child Abuse and Torture Amendments should have been the easiest “yes” vote in history. It does what every state should have done years ago.

Defines Child Torture as a Specific Criminal Offense. Right now, child torture falls under general child abuse laws. This bill creates a separate offense with harsher penalties.

Mandatory Imprisonment: No more light sentences, no judicial discretion. If you torture a child, you go to prison. Period.

Expands Child Abuse Definitions: Updates legal language to close loopholes and ensure abusers can’t escape justice through technicalities.

Adds Child Torture to the Offender Registry: Convicted child torturers would be required to register, just like sex offenders and kidnappers.

Strengthens Protections in Custody Cases: Ensures that abusers and torturers have zero legal standing in custody disputes. Kids come first, not abusers.

And yet, it got sent back because of “fiscal concerns.”

So let’s break that down. They have no problem:
• Handing out corporate tax breaks
• Dumping money into law enforcement budgets
• Funding political pet projects
• But when it comes to protecting children from torture, suddenly they need to run the numbers?

They care more about budgets than kids.

Who’s Responsible for Delaying This?

The bill passed the Utah Senate 25-1 (who was the one who voted against it?), then got a favorable recommendation from the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee.

But then on February 13, 2025 it was sent back to the House Rules Committee for “fiscal prioritization.” Meaning someone decided locking up child torturers might cost too much.

Who voted against it?
Who sent it back?
Who thinks money matters more than protecting kids?

Every State Needs a SB0024

Shout out to Utah for drafting this law, but it shouldn’t stop there. Every single state should adopt a version of this bill.

Chief Senate Sponsor: Don Ipson and House Sponsor: Ryan D. Wilcox huge respect for pushing this forward. We need to talk about getting this done everywhere.

SB0024 deserves full approval. No more delays. No more excuses. And definitely no more protecting child abusers because it might “cost too much.”

Anyone else seeing this?

Are they seriously F'nAround with kids because of money?

Child Abuse and Torture Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Senate Sponsor: Don L. Ipson
House Sponsor: Ryan D. Wilcox

Bill details: https://lnkd.in/gJPqYc2x