Legislative Bills

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HB0360 | School Water Testing Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts provisions related to monitoring and mitigating lead in drinking water in schools and child care centers.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 16
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$5,000,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2020: to the Department of Environmental Quality - Environmental Mitigation and Response Fund, as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, One-time, $5,000,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Children drink more fluids per pound of body weight than adults and their bodies are moresus ceptible to contaminants and disease. Clean water is essential to the health of children. Water can become polluted in many ways.

Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Right-To-Know legislation and regulations in order for the public to be more aware of the environmental health hazards in their community;

HB0363 | Summer Education Grants

Description
General Description: 

This bill establishes a grant program for summer school days and other educational summer programs.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
13          ▸     establishes a grant program for summer school days and other educational summer
14     programs; and
15          ▸     requires the State Board of Education to:
16               •     award grants to qualifying local education agencies to meet measurable goals;
17     and
18               •     make rules regarding the administration and measurement of the grant program.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 03, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 43
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$10,000,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2023: to the State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Uniform School Fund, $5,000,000; and to the State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs, as a one-time appropriation: from the Uniform School Fund, One-time, $5,000,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Utah PTA welcomes the opportunities for students to catch up during the summer and increase their proficiency, especially if tied to measurable goals as outlined in HB363

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations urge Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to
fund programs based on evidence-based practices, such as extended learning
opportunities, including, but not limited to, afterschool and summer programs, online
learning, career-based experiences, internships, job shadowing, community-based
projects, and off-site postsecondary learning

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

POST CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ADDITIONAL FUNDING 2023 Position Statement

HB0366S01 | Education Transparency

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions regarding curriculum transparency.

Highlighted Provisions: 

"13▸ requires local governing boards to implement methods to provide curriculum
14 transparency;
15▸emphasizes state sovereignty and individual liberty in public education"

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 04, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 58
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Unnecessary
Impact on Children: 

This bill reaffirms statute by duplicating language and includes provision that not be constitutional. It has no positive impact on children.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA recognizes the State Board of Education as the body elected to establish policy and standards for education in the State of Utah

HB0369 | School Bus Inspection Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires certain local education agency governing boards to establish written policies regarding school bus inspections.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill: requires certain local education agency (LEA) governing boards to establish a written policy that: mandates that a school bus driver inspect the entire interior of a school bus at the end of every route; and establishes a specific disciplinary action or consequence for failure to perform the inspection.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 9
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill will make sure that there are no children left on a bus and that the bus will be safe to transport children to school the next day.

Commission: 
Safety
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

National PTA Resolution CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED IN OR AROUND VEHICLES
Resolved, That the National PTA and its constituent organizations advocate for and support legislation that prevents children from being injured or killed in non-traffic automobile accidents, including being left unattended in or around vehicles,

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

5. Support measures to promote safe and healthy environments and behaviors for children to prevent suicide, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking,

 

HB0371S01 | Consent to Services for Homeless Youth

Description
General Description: 

This bill relates to a homeless youth's ability to consent to temporary shelter, care, or services.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 25, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 31
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

All children benefit from a safe place to live and policies that protect them in vulnerable times.

Commission: 
Community Engagement
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

A founding purpose of National PTA is to promote safety for children and youth. National PTA urges its members at all levels to monitor, support, and advocate for laws and programs that assist in the identification and return of missing or runaway children.

HB0372S01 | Digital Wellness, Citizenship, and Safe Technology Commission

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates the Digital Wellness, Citizenship, and Safe Technology Commission to advance the goal of training every student in healthy behavior related to technology use.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 30, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 48
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

Social media has many benefits but when social media creates a substantial disruption to the child, there should be best practices and resources for training students in a healthy behavior related to technology.

Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations assist schools, community councils, parents and students in learning safe and responsible digital citizen behaviors through trainings, consultation, and distribution of resources.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

2. High standards for those who work in all areas concerned with children and youth.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

4. Support safe practices and environments for all children.

HB0372 | Start Smart Utah Breakfast Program Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill delays the dates by which certain public schools are required to serve breakfast to a student after the instructional day begins.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill delays the dates by which certain public schools are required to serve breakfast to a student after the instructional day begins. The new dates start effective 2021-2022 school year.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 4
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

According to the Food Research & Action Center, research shows that a "well-nourished child who starts the day with breakfast is more likely to be at school, a better learner, and willing to participate in the classroom." This bill requires that a school who participates in the National School Lunch Program shall also participate in the School Breakfast Program and outlines a schedule for when schools will be required to use an alternative breakfast service style if needed.

Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations promote school breakfast and lunch programs, physical activity in academic classes, recess for elementary school students, and physical education for all students.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social and emotional learning and well-being including, but not limited to: positive behavior programs and classes including art, music, physical education, civic engagement, and character development; early childhood education, parenting skills, and juvenile justice reforms.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

National PTA must be engaged in ongoing policy-making decisions to expand equitable access to school meals, including programs that increase meal availability and allow our voice to be raised to speak on behalf of meal availability for all students.

HB0373S03 | Student Support Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to student support and health services.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 28, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$38,270,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2020: to the State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs - Student Health and Counseling Support Program, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $26,000,000; to the State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs - Student Health and Counseling Support Program, as a one-time appropriation: from the Education Fund, One-time, ($10,000,000); to the Department of Human Services - Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health - Community Mental Health Services, as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, ($500,000); and to the University of Utah - SafeUT Crisis Text and Tip Line - SafeUT Operations, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $1,770,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

This bill will increase the number of school-based mental health support personnel in our schools. Many professionals within a school help to support student's positive mental health including social workers, school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, and other specialized instructional support personnel. These personnel understand that students unmet mental health needs can be a significant obstacle to student academic, career, and social/emotional development and can even compromise school safety

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations actively advocate for increased funding for additional trained counselors, psychologists, and social workers to assist and educate families and youth in both elementary and secondary schools participating in the public school system.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OF CHILDREN
Improve access and funding for qualified, school-based health and wellness practitioners

HB0374 | Modifications to Education Funding

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions regarding public education funding.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 64
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

A change in tax structure during the 2018 Legislative Session tied a property tax increase to the Weighted Pupil Unit. This Bill creates a limit of 3% on the property tax increase even if the WPU is increased at a greater percentage. The property tax increase was a way of providing new revenue for education and this bill would limit the new money available for schools.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries, technology, textbooks and supplies;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

ADEQUATELY FUND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGH A REGULAR
APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS

HB0374S05 | Sensitive Materials in Schools

Description
General Description: 

This bill prohibits certain sensitive instructional materials in public schools.

Highlighted Provisions: 

12▸defines certain instructional materials as sensitive materials;
13▸prohibits sensitive materials in a public school;
14▸grants parents the right to file a civil action to enforce certain provisions;
15▸defines terms

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 39
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support w/ Comment

Utah PTA unequivocally opposes pornography in general and pornography in schools in particular. Utah PTA also recognizes the need for students to see themselves in literature and art and the importance of having books for each student. Therefore, book removals should be laser focused on pornography and avoid silencing minority voices.

Impact on Children: 

Fostering children's curiosity and appetite for learning is essential to make their potential a reality. However, children need to be protected from harm, including harm caused accessing materials beyond their maturity. We urge all LEAs to adopt policies to adopt, review, and remove instructional materials as well as media materials.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

MASS MEDIA - That Utah PTA and its constituent associations actively seek the vigorous enforcement of current obscenity laws, laws precluding the use of children in pornography and the prohibiting the distribution of pornographic materials to children; additionally we firmly oppose the exploitation and/or use of children in suggestive and seductive screen content.

IMPACT OF PORNOGRAPHY: Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations work with policy makers in government, nongovernment, school and community organizations to raise awareness of the effects of prolonged and increased exposure to sexually explicit materials.