Utah Legislature passes bills to prevent street racing, police deception in youth interrogations

SALT LAKE CITY — Among legislation moving forward in the final two weeks of the session, the Utah Legislature on Thursday passed a bill that seeks to stem illegal street racing and a bill to prohibit police from using deception during interrogations with youth.

SB53 increases the minimum fine requirement for those driving over 105 mph and bans spectators from watching street races.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown spoke in support of the bill earlier this month, pointing to an increase in crime in areas where illegal racing takes place.

Bill co-sponsor Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, said the issue plays into mental health for law enforcement officers and first responders, a major topic throughout the session as the Legislature passed a bill to provide funding for mental health resources for first responders.

"Some of the stories from these crashes are why we need this bill," Wilcox said Thursday, describing the toll that seeing the aftermath of high-speed crashes takes on police officers.

The bill passed the House 49-23.

The Senate, meanwhile, gave final, unanimous passage to HB271, which would prohibit law enforcement officers from using deception during interrogations with a minor in police custody.

Under the bill, during an interrogation an investigator could not claim they have proof of a juvenile's crime if they don't have it — an issue advocates say has led to false confessions across the country.

"The cases that I've been exposed to in the interim, as we've had these discussions, are pretty sad," said Wilcox, who also sponsored HB271.

The "fallout" from officers using deception in interrogations "undermines confidence in law enforcement itself when it's done incorrectly, so that's where we have to walk that fine line," he said.

Other legislation that passed:

• HB213: A watered-down version of a bill that seeks to reserve handicap parking spaces for those who need wheelchairs. The bill as now written encourages those with handicap permits to reserve wheelchair-accessible spaces for those with a wheelchair placard. The bill awaits final approval in the House.
• SB116: A bill that designates the golden eagle as the state "bird of prey." Before lawmakers took a final vote, a golden eagle visited the House chamber. The bill has already passed in the Senate.

All bills await Gov. Spencer Cox's signature before becoming final.

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