UT SB0290

Establishes protections for "nonpublic victim or witness data" — electronic information from victims/witnesses that is not evidence, not publicly available, and carries a reasonable expectation of privacy

Requires law enforcement and prosecuting agencies to segregate electronic evidence from nonpublic data, implement secure "virtual rooms" for defense attorney review, and establish policies protecting victim/witness privacy

Prohibits defendants or their attorneys from directly obtaining nonpublic victim/witness data not held by law enforcement; defense attorneys may view such data through virtual rooms or at agency facilities but cannot copy it without court approval

Creates a rebuttable presumption against disclosing intimate images contained in nonpublic victim/witness data

Pro se defendants are barred from accessing nonpublic victim/witness data; courts must appoint an attorney for the limited purpose of searching such data when necessary for a fair proceeding

Effective date: May 6, 2026