Legislative Bills

HB0341S01 | School Closure Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends processes for school closures or school boundary changes.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill amends processes for school closures or school boundary changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0341S01

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 12, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Local Issue

Impact on Children:

This bill delineates processes local school boards will have to follow to make boundary changes or to close a school. Some of the processes are contradictory and will make it difficult for local school boards to have up to date information on the school. Will also make the changes more costly by requiring parental notification to be done by USPS.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation: Maximum local control when it serves the best interest of all children and youth

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

EDUCATION. Support an adequately funded public school system by funding an 8% WPU increase over and above growth and inflation; implement policies to increase proficiency levels by improving attendance, reducing class sizes, and supporting teachers; increase academic excellence for all Utah students; and prioritize local control to LEAs and individual schools.

HB0342 | Behavioral Health Services Access Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses access to behavioral health resources and services.

Highlighted Provisions:

Creates a website for behavioral health resources and services, renames commission and will have them find out the needs of the public and how people will access services no matter their level of being insured.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0342

Year:

2023

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 03, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2021-1 | Education Funding (retired)

HEA 2020-1 | Emotional/Mental Health and Well-Being

Impact on Children:

Mental health is a growing concern for students and parents, this bill will help connect people in need with the resources that can help them.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA support collaborative efforts between the home, school, private physicians, and community resource agencies to create mental health support networks for families, to recognize the prevalence and need for recognition of mental health illnesses and associated diagnosis and treatment,and to increase the number of psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and mental health professionals to provide adequate services for those needing help

HB0343 | School Emergency Drills Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill makes changes to emergency evacuation drill requirements for certain educational facilities during the 2021-2022 school year.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill requires the State Board of Education to, for a portion of the 2021-2022 school year, make rules for:
• conducting monthly emergency evacuation drills; and
• providing age-appropriate emergency evacuation instruction in lieu of
conducting emergency evacuation drills; and requires Group E occupancies
to conduct monthly emergency evacuation drills for
the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0343

Year:

2021

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 05, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2018-1 | Emergency Preparedness

Impact on Children:

This bill is a follow-up bill to 2020 HB 6004. It allows schools to substitute other types of instruction for the monthly mandatory drills

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations work with Utah schools to educate and train students, parents, staff and first responders on their school’s emergency preparedness and response plan by facilitating drills and exercises including evacuation, lockdown, shelter-in place and reunification;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
COMMITMENT: We are dedicated to children’s educational success, health, and well-being through strong family and community engagement, while remaining accountable to the principles upon which our association was founded.

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,

HB0344S01 | Local Policies for Course Content Transparency

Description

General Description:

This bill requires local education agency governing boards to establish student instruction transparency policies that include certain determinations.

Highlighted Provisions:

"the bill requires LEAs to establish a "Content Transparency Policy"
Each local governing board shall establish a policy regarding the content and method of student instruction that:
(a) generally promotes transparency to parents and students"

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0344S01

Year:

2023

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 03, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Local Issue

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Impact on Children:

The "Content Transparency Policy" requirements in HB344 bill dives deep in the content,
method of student instruction, the pedagogical methodology of delivering, and updates to methods of providing any required course content updates. By being prescriptive, it diminishes the trust that is placed in teachers and does not help students achieve.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA advocate for policies that strengthen respect and support for public education and the teaching profession

HB0344S01 | Sex Offender Restrictions Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill provides additional restrictions on individuals who must register as a sex offender.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0344S01

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 28, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

This bill provides that a sex offender may not instruct, supervise, or care for a minor in a professional capacity; accept a minor into the sex offender's home; or serve as a coach, manager, or trainer of a minor

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-2 | Child Abuse and Neglect

Impact on Children:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for adequate laws to protect children in all areas of child abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations will support evidence based programs to decrease risk factors and increase protective factors in our homes, schools and communities; and be it further Resolved, Utah PTA and its constituent associations will support legislation and measures that will promote healthy behaviors with our youth

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

Coordination and planning by all agencies with clear definition of responsibility at each level of government.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

4. Support safe practices and environments for all children.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

That National PTA and its constituent associations collaborate with school administrations, institutions of higher learning, and community partners to ensure that every school:

Provides support services for victims of sexual harassment and sexual violence,

Links

RESPONSE TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AFFECTING STUDENTS

HB0344 | Student Asthma Relief Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts provisions governing the administration of stock albuterol by certain entities to an individual.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0344

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 25, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 1996-1 | School Health and First Aid Preparedness (retired)

Impact on Children:

Will help children with asthma to get needed help in a timely matter.

Commission:

Health

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

*Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage school districts to educate local schools regarding district policy for Universal Precautions in first aid care and encourage local units to assist in acquiring appropriate supplies and training for all school personnel.

HB0345 | Driving Penalty Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill increases fines and penalties for speeding in a school zone and failure to obey school bus signals.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill: increases fines for speeding in a school zone; increases fines and compensatory services for failure to obey school bus signals

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0345

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 18, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2021-1 | School Bus Safety

Impact on Children:

This bill aims to enhance the safety of school zones and school bus encounters in Utah, by increasing fines for speeding in school zones and disregarding school bus signals.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA, along with its constituent bodies, encourage all Utah law enforcement agencies to enforce state and local laws regarding stop arm violations.

Resolved, That Utah PTA, along with its constituent bodies, support all efforts to make school bus stops safer.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

HB0345S02 | School Resource Officers Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions relating to a local education agency's ability to contract with a law enforcement agency for school resource officer services.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill places conditions on the ability of a local education agency (LEA) to contract with a
law enforcement agency for school resource officer services, including requiring:
• that the contract procure services in secondary schools;
• governing board review of the contract;
• the collection of certain information by the LEA; and
• a biennial review of certain policies and information

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0345S02

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 17, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Local Issue

Impact on Children:

National PTA Position Statement: Addressing Institutional or Systemic Racism
We recognize that action at the local level has a direct impact on our communities. Local advocacy should focus on issues such as disparate discipline; equitable education for immigrant children; recruitment and retention of Black and Brown teachers; housing development policies; access to healthcare; juvenile and criminal justice; and other such issues which are relevant to local schools, communities and states. We will work to ensure more comprehensive guidelines and training are required on the use of force by school resource officers, other law enforcement officers and security personnel.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.

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

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA Position Statement: ADDRESSING INSTITUTIONAL OR SYSTEMIC RACISM
Institutional racism is racism embedded as a routine practice within society or an organization, cumulatively and disparately impacting historically disadvantaged peoples.

Ongoing institutional racism and deeply embedded injustices, prejudices and inequities in the fabric of our nation have caused the violent deaths of innocent Black and Brown men, women and children over the years at the hands of a percentage of police officers and ordinary citizens.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

PTA Calls on Congress and the Administration to Meaningfully Incorporate Policies that Promote Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Practices in Schools for All Students. PTA firmly believes that all students—including students from historically marginalized populations—have the right to a quality, equitable education in a safe, supportive and inclusive school.

PTA believes that the education system should engage in rigorous self-examination to identify and eliminate practices and policies which are systemically racist. PTA supports policies and legislation that ensure equity for every student, are grounded in social justice and support the whole child and family. Policies and legislation must:
✓ Encourage schools to use positive behavioral interventions and supports that are effective, fair and consistently implemented. Such practices may include restorative justice and trauma-informed care.

HB0347S03 | Educational Rights Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill requires an LEA to provide a safe and minimally disrupted educational environment.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill requires an LEA provide an educational environment that is safe for all students and staff including students and staff in special education; requires an LEA to ensure an educational environment has minimal disruptions.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0347S03

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 12, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Unnecessary

Impact on Children:

This bill would cause LEAs to bear the costs of court cases and the money would not be able to come from Special Education funding. This would negatively affect all students. There is no fiscal note attached to this bill and no guidance on where Special Education students would go if not in the classroom.

Commission:

Special Needs Specialist

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES

That National PTA, and its constituent associations build inclusive communities by working with experts in the education field to develop programs and
resources to educate the community about how the educational system impacts families and students with special needs; and be it further

Resolved, That National PTA, and its constituent associations encourage and work with the entire school community to include families and children with special needs; and be it further

Resolved, That National PTA, and its constituent associations work with their local school districts to research and advocate for the implementation of the most inclusive programs that best serve students with special needs.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation: Equity in the form of equal justice, privileges, opportunities, and responsibilities in every phase of life for all children and youth, while recognizing that each child is unique with individual needs and talents.

HB0348S02 | Participation Waiver Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill clarifies how a school responds when a student refrains from participation in school due to a student's or a student's parent's religious belief or right of conscience.

Highlighted Provisions:

Clarifies how a school responds when a student refrains from participation in school due to a student's or a student's parent's religious belief or right of conscience

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0348S02

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Local Issue

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2019-1 | Best Practices in Education

Impact on Children:

Protects a student from having to engage in any aspect at school that violates their religious belief or right of conscience.

Commission:

Student Leadership

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

support practices which enhance teacher capacity, school leadership, family and student engagement, student-centered learning climates, and instruction and curriculum alignment;
and encourage local and state school boards as well as school level administration and school level leadership teams to seek input from parents when developing policies to improve education

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

3. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. Support policies which will increase family and community engagement and promote local positive parental involvement across the state of Utah.

Legislative Bills

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