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Herbert Signs Laws Regarding Polygamy, Liquor Sales

Gov. Gary Herbert has signed into law a measure that hardens Utah's polygamy law by adding harsher penalties for polygamists convicted of other crimes such as domestic abuse.

Polygamists opposed the bill, saying it is unconstitutional and unfairly targets their families. They say it will discourage people from reporting crimes like fraud or abuse.

Gov. Herbert, who signed the bill late Tuesday night, didn't immediately have comment.

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Lawmakers narrowly passed a bill that Republican state Sen. Kevin Van Tassell said was crafted by the attorney general's office to prevent a "constitutional challenge" to state law.

Utah's current polygamy law is already stricter than laws in other states because it bars married people from living with a second purported "spiritual spouse" even if the man is legally married to just one woman.

He also signed legislation licensing and rules about serving drinks in restaurants Tuesday.

Herbert said in statement Tuesday that changes will make restaurant licensing fairer and give establishments options and time to comply with the law.

Under the law, restaurants starting July 1 can take down their barriers nicknamed "Zion Curtains" that block customers from seeing drinks being made if they instead make other changes to keep children away from bars.

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The Zion Curtain barriers are generally bars surrounded by translucent glass or a back room. The new law allows restaurants to instead set up buffer-zones around their bars for those 21 and older to watch drinks being made.

It also makes changes to licensing, alcohol pricing and a number of other liquor policies.