SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Gov. Gary Herbert has signed into law a measure that hardens Utah’s polygamy law by adding harsher penalties for polygamists convicted of other crimes such as domestic abuse.
Polygamists opposed the bill, saying it is unconstitutional and unfairly targets their families. They say it will discourage people from reporting crimes like fraud or abuse.
Gov. Herbert, who signed the bill late Tuesday night, didn’t immediately have comment.
Lawmakers narrowly passed a bill that Republican state Sen. Kevin Van Tassell said was crafted by the attorney general’s office to prevent a “constitutional challenge” to state law.
Utah’s current polygamy law is already stricter than laws in other states because it bars married people from living with a second purported “spiritual spouse” even if the man is legally married to just one woman.