The Termination of Parental Rights Amendments Bill (SB 203) passed during the 2018 General Session of the Utah State Legislature and became effective May 8, 2018. It amended several laws that, in summary:
- Require courts to appoint counsel for indigent birth/legal parents who oppose the termination of their parental rights in cases brought by private parties;
- Require courts to appoint counsel in cases in both district and juvenile courts;
- Give counties the authority to designate attorney(s) for this appointment;
- Require counties to compensate appointed attorneys; and
- Create the mechanism for counties to seek reimbursement from the Utah Indigent Defense Commission (IDC).