October 2025 with Rep. Melissa Ballard

CHECKING IN AT THE LEGISLATURE:
OCTOBER 2025

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In this issue, you'll find some of the work the legislature has been doing to help victims of domestic violence, as well as other eye-opening statistics.

I've also been doing a lot of work to help in the correctional facilities around our state, both as Chair of the Higher Education and Corrections Council and as a volunteer.

As always, thank you for your support, and have a Happy Halloween!

Warmest regards,

Melissa

QUICK LINKS

IN THIS ISSUE

1. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
2. Investing in a More Transparent Utah
3. Newly Published Briefings: "How Actors Use AI for Criminal Activity" and "Juvenile Justice in Utah"
4. Enriching Opportunities for Inmates in our Correctional Facilities
5. In the Community
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Over the past two years, our legislature has taken decisive steps to better serve those facing domestic violence in Utah. In 2023, we enacted SB117, requiring law enforcement to conduct a 12-question lethality assessment during domestic violence calls, and creating a centralized database to track risk and repeat incidents. Last month, we unveiled a public dashboard that updates monthly, giving lawmakers, law enforcement, and service providers timely, actionable data to enhance victim safety and strengthen our response across the state. 
I want to extend a special thank you to NSL resident, Brooke Muir, for inviting me to attend the UT Domestic Violence Rally earlier this month, hosted by the Fight Against Domestic Violence organization. I want to share some statistics I learned with you:
  • In Utah alone, there are 11,000 responses to domestic violence calls every year.
  • Domestic violence is the #1 cause of homicide in Utah, with 30% of callers reporting a fear of being killed.
  • 38% of domestic violence victims have been strangled at some point,  and have a 70% chance of being killed by the abuser after this lethal action. 
Through my committee work, I am working hard to help the domestic violence crisis in Utah.
Investing in a More Transparent Utah
Newly Published Briefings: "How Actors Use AI for Criminal Activity" and "Juvenile Justice in Utah"
Last month, the OLRGC released briefings on "The Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Public Safety" and "Juvenile Justice in Utah." These briefings are attached for your convenience, and a summary is provided below.
 

The Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Public Safety: How Actors Use GenAI for Criminal Activity

  • Reports of GenAI child sexual abuse material increased 1,325% between 2023 and 2024.
  • Chatbots are known to spread extremist ideologies and have moved actors to violence. Chatbots used for synthetic intimacy are also a growing public safety concern.
  • 85% of security professionals say the rise in cyberattacks is from the use of GenAI by criminal actors.
  • Utah has at least eight statutes addressing crimes committed with the aid of artificial intelligence, and one statute regulating the use of GenAI political deepfakes.


Juvenile Justice in Utah: An Overview of Processes, Reforms, and Trends

A summary of Utah's juvenile justice system and key reforms enacted since 2017 that have prioritized diversion over formal court proceedings for low-level offenses. The brief also examines recent data trends in juvenile justice and research on the effectiveness of certain diversion programs.


Past briefs published on other topics may be viewed online under Publications: Policy Briefs.

Utah Department of Technology is working hard to provide data security and privacy for Utahns with Jeff Nelson Manager of the MyUtah/Citizen Portal project, Joe Jackson Chief Technology Officer, Alan Fuller State Chief Information Officer and Director of the Division of Technology Services, Nick Mecham Legislative Affairs

I attended the Rainey Center Data Center Working Group to Bridge Policy & Innovation to build micro-grids for power in Utah and Data Centers, and discussions on Artificial Intelligence policy across the country.
Enriching Opportunities for Inmates in our Correctional Facilities

This month, world-renowned violinist David Park and I performed for the second time in New York City's Carnegie Hall, and as a public service, we performed at the Utah State Correctional Facility for the female inmates. Click here to view our story about our concert.
As Chair of the Higher Education and Corrections Council, I continue to work with prison leaders and state tech and university leaders to open more education pathways for men and women in our correctional facilities. You may view our previous public meetings here. 
Pictured: UDC Chief Randall Honey; Andy Eisen, U of U; Dan Bokovoy, SLCC, former inmate who benefited greatly from education during incarceration; Dan Powers, Davis Tech; Taylor Adams, USHE; Assoc. Commissioner, Richard Gonzales, USHE
In the Community

Last month, David Park and I also performed in Morgan, Utah, for elementary school children and gave a free concert at Morgan High School, sponsored by Excellence in the Community. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Jeff Whitely, who passed away unexpectedly in September. He was the creator of Excellence in the Community, which has hosted hundreds of free concerts for Utahns.

  • To view our previous performances with Excellence in the Community, click here.
  • For Brahms, Beethoven, and Bach, click here.
Learn More About Melissa
Facebook Facebook
Instagram Instagram
Email Email
Copyright © 2025, All rights reserved.
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Melissa Garff Ballard

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.