Wednesday morning legislative actions

• A measure to suspend the drivers' licenses of habitual nonpayers of child support received legislative support Wednesday. The House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee unanimously approved HB15, sponsored by Rep. Julie Fisher, R-Fruit Heights. The state Office of Recovery Services estimates as many as 18,000 Utahns would be eligible for license suspension under the proposed law. Director Mark Brasher testified Wednesday, however, that the office would move forward cautiously if HB15 passes, applying its new administrative authority to only the most egregious cases where noncustodial parents are known to have the money, but not the will, to pay their back child support.

• The minimum age to acquire a big game hunting license would be lowered from 14 to 12 years old under HB67, which was approved Wednesday by the House Natural Resources, Agricultural and Environment Committee. The age for premium limited entry and once-in-a-lifetime licenses would not be lowered.

• A House committee Wednesday supported a bill that seeks to keep protesters from disrupting private funeral services for fallen military members. Sponsoring Rep. Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley, wants to make it a class B misdemeanor for anyone who comes within 200 feet of a memorial service. The bill also calls for protesters to keep their distance from military funerals one hour before and after services.

• Teachers would be forbidden from telling parents their children needed to take psychotropic drugs under a measure approved Wednesday by a House committee. Formerly dubbed the "Ritalin bill," HB202, sponsored by Rep. Michael Morley, R-Spanish Fork, also forbids school officials from making medication a condition of schooling for Utah children. Pediatricians and PTA officials testified Wednesday the bill would have a chilling effect on communication between teachers and parents, though Morley maintains it will actually increase communication by making clear the boundaries of discussion. Similar measures have twice been vetoed, first by former Gov. Mike Leavitt and again in 2005 by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.