Skip to content

Session Expired

Your session has expired. Please sign in again to continue where you left off.

Sign In Again

UT SB34: Governmental Use of Facial Recognition Technology

Enacted Utah · 2021 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

SB34 · where it stands

4 of 5 steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Date not recorded
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Utah SB 34 (2021) enacts Utah Code Title 77, Chapter 23e on government use of facial recognition technology, defined as a computer system that uses an algorithm to compare facial biometric data of an unknown person with known individuals. Only the Department of Public Safety may run facial recognition comparisons against image databases it shares or maintains, and only under listed conditions and a set request process. Employees must be trained, the public must be notified when a government entity uses facial recognition on images it takes, and the law sets which comparison records are public or protected.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Utah agencies and facial recognition vendors work under a centralized, request-based process run by the Department of Public Safety.

Key provisions

  1. Utah Code 77-23e-101 to -106: defines facial recognition system as an algorithm comparing facial biometric data
  2. Limits when government entities may use image databases for facial recognition comparisons
  3. Only the Department of Public Safety may run comparisons against databases it shares or maintains
  4. Training required for DPS and government entity employees
  5. Notice required when a government entity uses facial recognition on images it captures; rules on releasing comparison information

Latest legislative action

Mar 16, 2021. Governor Signed; Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 200

Sponsors

NameRoleDistrict
R Sponsor SD-012
R Sponsor HD-062

Roll call votes (showing 3 of 6)

H House/ passed 3rd reading Mar 4, 2021

73 yea0 nay2 otherPassed

S Senate/ concurs with House amendment Mar 4, 2021

27 yea1 nay1 otherPassed

H House Comm - Favorable Recommendation Feb 23, 2021

9 yea0 nay3 otherPassed

Topics and industries

Related topics

Facial RecognitionAI in Law EnforcementAI in Government

Affected industries

GovernmentTechnology

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

Related AI laws in Utah

All Utah bills →
HB0606 Surveillance and Investigatory Technology Amendments HB444 Data Privacy Amendments SB231 Public Surveillance Prohibition Amendments SB180 Law Enforcement Usage of Artificial Intelligence SB84 Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity Amendments HB366 Criminal Justice Amendments

Same topic in other states

Montana SB397 Generally revise laws related to privacy and facial recognition technology Maine LD1585 An Act To Increase Privacy and Security by Regulating the Use of Facial Surveill Washington SB6280 Concerning the use of facial recognition services. Massachusetts S2963 An Act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Colorado SB113 Artificial Intelligence Facial Recognition Illinois SB0225 SOS-FACIAL RECOGNITION INFO