Utah Code § 76-5-115
Leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle
Utah · Utah Code Title 76 — Criminal Offenses · Status: effective
Cite this
- Citation
- Utah Code § 76-5-115, Leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle, Utah, version 1 as recorded 2026-10-03, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/2353229
- Permanent ID
ys:prov:2353229@1- SHA-256
a0d64383bbca678e1dc1fba5b188bf43c1d2751edabe8c975972ea65ea99d111
The hash is SHA-256 of this version's text, with every run of whitespace collapsed to a single space and the ends trimmed. The ID always leads back here, and checking it says whether the text you cited is still the current version.
Full text
(1)
(a) As used in this section:
(i) "Child" means an individual who is younger than nine years old.
(ii) "Enclosed compartment" means any enclosed area of a motor vehicle, including the passenger compartment, regardless of whether a door, window, or hatch is left open.
(iii) "Motor vehicle" means an automobile, truck, truck tractor, bus, or any other self-propelled vehicle.
(b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section.
(2) An actor commits leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle if:
(a) the actor intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence leaves a child in an enclosed compartment of a motor vehicle;
(b) the motor vehicle is on:
(i) public property; or
(ii) private property that is open to the general public;
(c) the child is not supervised by an individual who is at least nine years old; and
(d) the conditions present a risk to the child of:
(i) hyperthermia;
(ii) hypothermia; or
(iii) dehydration.
(3) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class C misdemeanor.
(4) This section does not apply if the actor's conduct that constitutes a violation of this section is subject to a greater penalty under another provision of state law.
(5) This section preempts enforcement of a local law or ordinance that makes it an infraction or a criminal offense to engage in the conduct that constitutes a misdemeanor under this section.
(6) Notwithstanding any provision of state law to the contrary, a conviction under this section may not be used by a state or local government entity as grounds for revoking, refusing to grant, or refusing to renew, a license or permit, including a license or permit relating to the provision of day care or child care.