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2021 Utah Code
Title 76 - Utah Criminal Code
Chapter 5 - Offenses Against the Person
Part 1 - Assault and Related Offenses
Section 112.5 - Endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult.
Universal Citation: UT Code § 76-5-112.5 (2021)
Effective 5/12/2020
76-5-112.5. Endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult.
Amended by Chapter 132, 2020 General Session
76-5-112.5. Endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult.
- (1) As used in this section:
- (a)
- (i) "Chemical substance" means:
- (A) a substance intended to be used as a precursor in the manufacture of a controlled substance;
- (B) a substance intended to be used in the manufacture of a controlled substance; or
- (C) any fumes or by-product resulting from the manufacture of a controlled substance.
- (ii) Intent under this Subsection (1)(a) may be demonstrated by:
- (A) the use, quantity, or manner of storage of the substance; or
- (B) the proximity of the substance to other precursors or to manufacturing equipment.
- (i) "Chemical substance" means:
- (b) "Child" means an individual who is under 18 years of age.
- (c) "Controlled substance" means the same as that term is defined in Section 58-37-2.
- (d) "Drug paraphernalia" means the same as that term is defined in Section 58-37a-3.
- (e) "Exposed to" means that the child or vulnerable adult:
- (i) is able to access an unlawfully possessed:
- (A) controlled substance; or
- (B) chemical substance;
- (ii) has the reasonable capacity to access drug paraphernalia; or
- (iii) is able to smell an odor produced during, or as a result of, the manufacture or production of a controlled substance.
- (i) is able to access an unlawfully possessed:
- (f) "Prescription" means the same as that term is defined in Section 58-37-2.
- (g) "Vulnerable adult" means the same as that term is defined in Subsection 76-5-111(1).
- (a)
- (2) Unless a greater penalty is otherwise provided by law:
- (a) except as provided in Subsections (2)(b), (c),, and (3), an individual is guilty of a felony of the third degree if the individual knowingly or intentionally causes or permits a child or a vulnerable adult to be exposed to, inhale, ingest, or have contact with a controlled substance, chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia;
- (b) except as provided in Subsection (2)(c) and (3), an individual is guilty of a felony of the second degree, if:
- (i) the individual engages in the conduct described in Subsection (2)(a); and
- (ii) as a result of the conduct described in Subsection (2)(a), the child or the vulnerable adult suffers bodily injury, substantial bodily injury, or serious bodily injury; or
- (c) an individual is guilty of a felony of the first degree, if:
- (i) the individual engages in the conduct described in Subsection (2)(a); and
- (ii) as a result of the conduct described in Subsection (2)(a), the child or the vulnerable adult dies.
- (3) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), a child may not be subjected to delinquency proceedings for a violation of Subsection (2) unless:
- (a) the child is 15 years old or older; and
- (b) the other child who is exposed to or inhales, ingests, or has contact with the controlled substance, chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia, is under 12 years old.
- (4) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of this section that the controlled substance:
- (a) was obtained by lawful prescription or in accordance with Title 26, Chapter 61a, Utah Medical Cannabis Act; and
- (b) is used or possessed by the individual to whom the controlled substance was lawfully prescribed or recommended to under Title 26, Chapter 61a, Utah Medical Cannabis Act.
- (5) The penalties described in this section are separate from, and in addition to, the penalties and enhancements described in Title 58, Occupations and Professions.
Amended by Chapter 132, 2020 General Session
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