Signed by Governor Gary Herbert

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that defines bigamy and classifies it as a third degree felony.

Highlights:

• Defines bigamy as a person with a husband or wife purporting to marry and cohabitate with another person (Sec. 1).

• Classifies bigamy as a third-degree felony (Sec. 1).

• Classifies bigamy as a second-degree felony if the accused is also convicted during the same prosecution of the following (Sec. 1):

• Inducing marriage or bigamy under false pretenses;

• Domestic abuse;

• Child abuse;

• Sexual abuse; or

• Human trafficking.

• Specifies that defense of bigamy includes the following (Sec. 1):

• The accused left a bigamous relationship for fear of coercion or bodily harm;

• The accused is a minor who left a bigamous relationship; or

• The accused has taken steps to protect the safety and welfare of a minor child of a bigamous relationship.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that defines bigamy and classifies it as a third degree felony.

Highlights:

• Defines bigamy as a person with a husband or wife purporting to marry and cohabitate with another person (Sec. 1).

• Classifies bigamy as a third-degree felony (Sec. 1).

• Classifies bigamy as a second-degree felony if the accused is also convicted during the same prosecution of the following (Sec. 1):

• Inducing marriage or bigamy under false pretenses;

• Domestic abuse;

• Child abuse;

• Sexual abuse; or

• Human trafficking.

• Specifies that defense of bigamy includes the following (Sec. 1):

• The accused left a bigamous relationship for fear of coercion or bodily harm;

• The accused is a minor who left a bigamous relationship; or

• The accused has taken steps to protect the safety and welfare of a minor child of a bigamous relationship.

Full Bill Text