Bill limiting public access to mug shots passes Utah Senate

Bill limiting public access to mug shots passes Utah Senate

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Senate has unanimously voted in favor of a bill that would ban police from releasing mug shots until a person has been convicted of a crime. The measure passed the Senate on Wednesday and aims to make mug shots a private record to limit their impact on people’s lives — especially for those who are falsely accused or never found guilty. Some news media have opposed the effort, arguing that the photos can serve as a check on law enforcement. The bill needs one final procedural vote in the Senate before moving to the governor’s desk.