Lawmakers considering reducing penalties for polygamy

Utah lawmakers could consider legislation next year that would greatly reduce the penalties for polygamy.

Republican State Senator Deidre Henderson wants to change the punishment for the crime in order to encourage more people in plural families to come forward to law enforcement.

The exact reduction of punishment is still in the works, but Henderson believes something on par with a low-level misdemeanor would have the desired results.

The Utah Legislature changed the state's law involving polygamy in 2017, making it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.