Author’s Note: This is an update to my previous post regarding HB217 that is working its was through the Utah State Legislature.
For those of you who didn’t see my special edition of Boogers on the Wall on Sunday, I wrote an open letter to the Utah State Fire Marshal regarding the proposed amendment to the Utah State Fire Code that would outlaw sky lanterns.
We have sent sky lanterns to Luca each year on his birthday. It is such a peaceful, beautiful way to remember my little angel baby on the anniversary of the day I delivered him.
But a proposed amendment to the Utah State Fire Code would classify the lanterns as unattended fires, therefore rendering them illegal.
I have anxiously been watching and waiting for news from the House of Representatives about the proposed amendment – HB217. I signed up to receive email notifications when anything changes.
Yesterday news came.
I received an email stating that the bill’s sponsor, Rep. James Dunnigan R- Taylorsville, modified the amendment. Instead of completely banning the lanterns, Dunnigan proposed that the amendment include an exception: “Use of a sky lantern is permitted beginning on January 1 through May 31 and beginning on November 1 through December 31 of each year.”
I didn’t know if I should cry or jump up and down with joy! It’s amazing what little things make a grieving mother’s day.
The House of Representatives standing committee on Business and Labor gave the bill a favorable recommendation yesterday. I’ll keep watching and waiting for updates.
I know the bill isn’t finalized and things can still change, but the possibility of being able to continue a sentimental tradition on the day my baby flew to heaven has me overjoyed!
Boogers on the Wall 
Feb 14, 2013 @ 18:14:23
Congratulations! I am glad you can keep up your tradition.
Feb 15, 2013 @ 16:20:10
Thanks Jess. Me too!
Nov 12, 2013 @ 17:54:25
Thank you for the update. At least I know I’ll be OK in using these lanterns for my project. I’ve lit over 100 lanterns and the only one at even came close to light on fire was the very first one right in front of me in a tree next to me. Lesson learned, these things are perfectly safe when used the right way in the right conditions.
Dec 24, 2015 @ 12:50:07
Hi Natalie, thank you for your post. I have looked all over the internet for understanding about this law in Utah. Do you know what the final law is now? Are the sky lanterns still legal in Utah until summertime?
Dec 24, 2015 @ 16:49:27
Hey Kelsey. Here is a link to the amendment. As far as I can tell they determined to let individual areas control when or if to ban lanterns and they can only do that under specific circumstances.
http://le.utah.gov/~2013/bills/hbillenr/hb0217.htm
Oct 04, 2016 @ 17:28:11
What was the ending result in this? I have been trying to read the bills all day and can’t seem to wrap my head around comprehending them. Hahaha!
The reason I ask is that I too had a stillborn and every year we do a balloon release on her birthday at her grave (since 2009) and last year I did a lantern as well. Then when I let my family know about my plans to do one again this year in a couple weeks my brother remarked with “I think those are illegal” so I started researching.
I figured it would be easier to ask you the outcome on this than trying to read they several documents and understand it since you are knowledgable in this area! 🙂
I am so sorry for your loss. It is not anything I would wish on anyone. We are coming up on my angel daughters 7th birthday and it doesn’t get any easier.
Let me know what you know on this.
Oct 21, 2016 @ 22:37:32
Missy,
From what I understand you can do wish lanterns in the state of Utah during specific times of the year. The amended legislation HB217 states: Exception: Use of a sky lantern is permitted
187a beginning on January 1 through May 31st and beginning on November 1 through December
187b 31 of each year .”
You can read the entire bill here modifications from the 2013 legislative session here: http://le.utah.gov/~2013/bills/hbillamd/hb0217.htm
However, I think that people wanting to use the lanterns still need to make sure conditions are ideal. One year we couldn’t do any on Luca’s birthday because it was so stormy and windy. We tried one and it skidded across the driveway and scared us. We make sure we are in a large open area on a non-windy night when we do them. I am so sorry your your loss too. No mother should have to bury her child.