Legislative Bills

HB0349 | English as a Second Language Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill creates criteria for software programs for English learner students.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill requires the State Board of Education to allocate appropriations to a local education agency (LEA) in proportion to the LEA's statewide share of English learner students; and requires an LEA to use appropriations allocated to the LEA to pay for software
licenses for a software program that meets certain criteria.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0349

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

Unnecessary

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2019-1 | Best Practices in Education

Impact on Children:

This bill appropriates money to LEAs to assist in buying software to use for children who are English Language Learners.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the State Legislature to prioritize education funding in the areas of teacher capacity, school leadership, family and student engagement, student-centered learning climate, and instruction and curriculum alignment.
Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations educate parents and community members to support practices which enhance teacher capacity, school leadership, family and student engagement, student-centered learning climates, and instruction and curriculum alignment;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Support education legislation, including a constitutional change, that the Legislature shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a public education system, which shall be open to all children of the state; and that sustains/establishes revenue sources that support the system of public education including:
a. Automatic increases for enrollment growth in the base budget;
b. Automatic increases in the WPU based on inflation;
c. Establishes and funds a “public education rainy day fund” to support the Uniform School Fund in times of economic downturns experienced in the Nation or State.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

From National PTA Position Statement "Education Emphasis"--National PTA especially recognizes the special needs of underserved populations including children with disabilities, limited English proficient children, homeless children, migrant children, gifted and talented children, and undocumented children in our nation’s schools.

HB0351S01 | Driving by Minors Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends the restrictions on a newly licensed driver.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill: repeals the restriction that prevents a minor from driving with a passenger that is not an immediate family member within six months after receiving a driver license.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0351S01

Year:

2024

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose w/ Comment

The Utah PTA advocates for laws ensuring the care and protection of children and youth. Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws in Utah facilitate skill development for teenage drivers before obtaining an official license, effectively reducing high-risk driving situations and lowering teen accidents by up to 50 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Impact on Children:

"The Utah PTA actively supports legislation aimed at safeguarding the well-being of children and youth. Utah's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws play a crucial role in fostering skill development among teenage drivers before acquiring their official licenses, resulting in a significant reduction of high-risk driving situations and a 50 percent decrease in teen accidents, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

However, the proposed substitute in this bill, which allows for one passenger—a measure aligning with NHTSA best practices—comes with a potential downside. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), such a modification could increase the likelihood of fatal crashes by 19%, posing a concern for the safety of young drivers."

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

National PTA Resolution on Teen Driving Safety

Resolved, That PTA and its constituent organizations promote educating parents, students, school personnel and communities regarding the risks associated with teen driving, the legal requirements of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws, and the crucial role of parents in helping teens become safe drivers;

Resolved, That PTA work with parents, students, and community partners to urge local, state and national leaders to support research and adopt policies and legislation to reduce traffic incidents involving teen drivers and their passengers;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

|

Description

General Description:

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill would require voter approval for any increases to property tax rates until 2027.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/HB0354.html

Year:

2024

Status:

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding

Impact on Children:

The only revenue stream for schools that LEAs have control over is the property tax rate. There is a process that they must follow to notice and vote on an increase, and public comment is a significant part of that process. Property taxes are a stable funding mechanism, and restricting their ability to raise those rates could have negative consequences on our schools.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority.

HB0354 | Firearm Access Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill provides that a firearm shall be stored securely and provides penalties.

Highlighted Provisions:

13 ▸ provides that a firearm shall be securely stored or rendered inoperable by a locking
14 device;
15 ▸ sets penalties for violations; and
16 ▸ provides that if a person accesses an unlocked firearm and commits a crime, the
17 owner may be criminally liable.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0354

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 w/ Comment

Utah PTA advocates for gun safety and violence prevention measures for the benefit and safety of children while recognizing the importance of responsible gun ownership and Second Amendment rights to the citizens of Utah.

Impact on Children:

For nearly 30 years, National PTA has advocated for common-sense and comprehensive gun safety and violence prevention measures while preserving the lawful use of firearms for sport and personal protection. This bill would help ensure that firearms are stored safely..

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.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

5. SAFETY. Support evidence-based community violence intervention and means reduction strategies.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:
National PTA Position Statement- GUN SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Any effort to improve the safety of our nation's youth and our communities must be
comprehensive and include gun safety and violence-prevention measures.

Safe storage of firearms including the use of safety locks and other safety devices to prevent youth from obtaining and discharging a gun

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

National PTA believes that gun violence can and will decrease through these and other measures. Adoption of the measures above will make our communities, as well as our schools, safe for everyone. National PTA believes we must enact common sense legislation that will reduce gun violence and help protect all children and youth while protecting the lawful use of firearms for sport and personal protection.

HB0355 | Standards and Graduation Requirements Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions regarding high school graduation requirements.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0355

Year:

2020

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 12, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2006-1 | High School Graduation Requirements (retired)

Impact on Children:

This legislation has the potential to allow the Utah State Board of Education or a local school board of education to provide students with flexibility to take rigorous courses beyond math, science, and language arts in a variety of subjects including world languages, technology, fine arts, social studies, health and PE that meet individual goals outlined in their student plan for college and career readiness.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2006-1 High School Graduation Requirements - Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage rigor in student academic pursuits, but also value each student’s diverse needs and post high school plans by encouraging statewide practices and requirements that achieve balance and flexibility in student curriculum. Resolved, That Utah PTA support school rigor in a wide variety of subjects and oppose efforts that too narrowly define academic rigor solely as language arts, math, and science. Resolved, That Utah PTA ask the State Board of Education to encourage the implementation of flexible four-year plans as part of the SEOP process for grades 9-12 to help students explore and better focus their high school courses toward post high school plans.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities #7. Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social and emotional well being through affordable housing, homelessness initiatives, education, and parenting skills, and juvenile justice reforms.

Links

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2006-1 High School Graduation Requirements

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities 2019-20

HB0357S02 | Public Education Funding Stabilization

Description

General Description:

This bill provides for growth and stabilization in public education funding.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0357S02

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

Utah PTA Position Comment:
Utah PTA supports HB 357 Sub 1. We appreciate the constitutional guarantee found within the Uniform School Fund of funding for the public education system and the promise of funding for the Minimum School Program, enrollment growth, and inflation. We support the creation of the public education economic stabilization fund to support our schools during an economic downturn.

We recognize that HB357 Sub 1 and SJR9 must pass together, however we do have concerns with the vagueness of the statement “children and individuals with a disability” and as to what that will mean in the future for items to be funded out of the education fund. Utah PTA would request that more specificity were added to the statement before it goes before a vote of the people in November.

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2010-2 | Education Funding (retired)

Impact on Children:

This bill is designed to protect, grow, and stabilize Public Education Funding. It is tied to a Constitutional Amendment to expand the Constitutional earmark to provide more flexibility in government funding.

This bill moves the Minimum School Program (MSP), which includes the weighted pupil unit, funding to the constitutionally protected Uniform School Fund dedicated to K-12 public education. It will include enrollment growth and the annual inflation for the Minimum School Program in the Base Budget. It creates the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account which will be used to fund MSP, enrollment growth, and inflation during times of economic downturn.

The passage of this bill is contigent upon the passage of SJR9 - A constitutional amendment to expand the use of income tax revenue to support services for children and individuals with a disability.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2005-1 - 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.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

The legislative program of the Utah PTA is derived from the work of PTA in home, school, and community. PTA efforts “to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth” are based upon:

The realization that maintaining a free and public education system is a cornerstone of democracy—that the Utah Public Education System is created in the state Constitution to “secure and perpetuate” freedom.

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation:

Continued maintenance of the constitutional guarantee of financial support for public schools as the first claim on state revenues.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

1.Support education legislation which maintains the constitutional guarantee that the Legislature shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a public education system, which shall be open to all children of the state; and that all revenue from a tax on income shall be used to support the system of public education and higher education.

2. Support education appropriations which fully fund enrollment growth and increase the WPU by 6%.

Links

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2010-2 Funding for Education

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities 2019-20

Stabilizing Education Funding for a Better Tomorrow

HB0358S01 | Criminal Sexual Conduct Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill concerns criminal sexual conduct.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill creates the criminal offense of: •custodial solicitation of sexually explicit conduct from a person in custody; •unlawful sexual activity with a child using virtual reality; and •unlawful sexual activity with a minor using virtual reality;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0358S01

Year:

2025

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 25, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2016-2 | Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Impact on Children:

This bill protects children from digital sexual abuse. It makes it a serious crime for adults to use virtual reality to engage in sexual activity with children under 14, and with minors aged 14–17 when there is a significant age gap, with no defense for claimed consent.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations promote and support the adoption and enforcement of laws, at all levels of government, to end the recruitment, force or involvement of a minor in conduct or violence of a sexually nature and all forms of sexual exploitation; and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for the protection of rights of victims and support provided measures for the physical, psychological, and social recovery of victims of sexual exploitation;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA Position Statement - Child Safety and Protection

Prevent exploitation of children and unhealthy work environments. Protect children from violence.

HB0358 | Guardianship Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to court appointed guardians for minors.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill adds situations for when a court may appoint a guardian for an un-emancipated minor; establishes preponderance of the evidence as the burden of proof for appointing a guardian for a minor; and makes technical changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0358

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

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2018-1 | Foster Care Standards

Impact on Children:

This bill allows for courts to grant kinship caregivers to a minor (like a grandparent) without terminating parental rights of the parent. This would allow the minor basic necessities like medical needs and enrollment in school. The kinship law does not allow for this currently.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to pass laws that will ensure that the best interests of the child be given primary emphasis in placement matters

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

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.

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

Bill Number:

HB0360

Year:

2019

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2019

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.

View Fiscal Note

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;

Links

National PTA Position Statement - Lead-Based Drinking Water Poses Danger

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

Bill Number:

HB0363

Year:

2023

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 03, 2023

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.

View Fiscal Note

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

Legislative Bills

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