Legislative Bills

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HCR015 | Concurrent Resolution Emphasizing the Importance of Civics Education

Description
General Description: 

This bill recognizes the critical role of an engaged and informed citizenry in a healthy democratic government and the importance of civics education in preparing students with the tools necessary for civic engagement.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This resolution:
15 recognizes the vital role of civic engagement and the importance of informed and
16 engaged citizens in a healthy democratic government;
17 emphasizes the importance of teaching critical thinking and civic engagement tools
18 to the next generation of citizens;
19 outlines the current civics education requirements for students; and
20 encourages state and education leaders and others interested in civics education to
21 review how civics education is taught in Utah's public education system.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 22, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 74
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

It has been demonstrated through national data that there is a lack of basic knowledge and functional understanding about our system of government, both nationally and in Utah; this lack of knowledge and understanding is reflected in the current political environment, which is marked by a perpetual and pervasive stream of political rhetoric and content delivered through various media platforms, including social media, some of which is neither credible nor accurate; there is a need to prepare students with the tools necessary to evaluate and analyze the information being disseminated constantly through media channels, including social media platforms

Commission: 
Individual Development
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
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.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

6. 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: 

Position Statement - Citizenship and Equality
Continued respect for, and expansion of civil rights requires they be defended whenever threatened and that children and youth be taught the significance of civil rights and responsibilities in American culture.

National PTA supports:
Educational programs designed to increase understanding of the U.S. Constitution and civil rights, civil liberties, and appreciation for those individuals who fought for them;

HCR018 | Concurrent Resolution Highlighting the Importance of Supportive Networks of Adults for Child Success and Opportunity

Description
General Description: 

This resolution highlights the importance of a supportive network of adults for child success and encourages Utahns to build networks to support and create opportunities for children in the state.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This resolution highlights the importance of a supportive network of adults for child success and encourages Utahns to build networks to support and create opportunities for children in the state.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 04, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 31
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Research shows that a child facing significant adversity can develop resilience and positive lifelong skills through supportive relationships with a network of adults outside of the home, including teachers, clergy, coaches, and other community members;

Encourage individuals, organizations, municipalities, and state leaders to continue engaging with, participating in, and building supportive networks of adults that provide acknowledgment and encouragement to children and create opportunities for all Utah's children to reach full potential.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA actively seek or develop and promote programs that assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children;

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies encourage partnerships between community members and public schools that will champion parental engagement in education.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
To develop, between educators and the general public, such united efforts as will secure, for all children and youth, the highest advantages in physical, social, and spiritual education.

HCR019 | Concurrent Resolution Acknowledging and Highlighting the History, Culture, and Contributions of the Native American Peoples of Utah

Description
General Description: 

This resolution recognizes the eight tribal nations with an ancestral home in Utah and highlights the benefits of learning about the diverse heritage and culture of each of these nations.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This resolution:
▸ acknowledges the eight tribal nations that have an ancestral home in Utah;
▸ encourages the State Board of Education and all local education agencies to increase opportunities for students to learn about the history and culture of Utah's eight tribal nations; and
▸ encourages all schools, teams, and communities in Utah with Native American mascots to create dialogue with local tribal nations and Native American communities.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 04, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 31
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This resolution will increase opportunities for students in the state's public education system to learn about the eight diverse tribal nations in Utah and the dynamic history, culture, and unique political status of Native Americans, particularly the Native Americans who were first on the land in Utah's geographic region and who live here now.
It will encourage schools, teams, and communities with Native American mascots -- including names, imagery, symbols, regalia, and characterizations -- to engage in dialogue with local Native American communities and create a process to review and find agreement about the use of or to retire these mascots out of respect for the cultural and spiritual traditions and practices of their Native American neighbors.
 

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

CULTURALLY IN National PTA Resolution: SENSITIVE NAMES, SYMBOLS AND MASCOTS

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent associations call for and support the renaming of educational facilities and buildings and/or team names and replacement of symbols and mascots which are culturally insensitive; 

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent associations advocate for community and stakeholder input in the renaming and replacement process.
 

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

National PTA Statement on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: American Indian/Alaska Native Children and Families: Respect cultural traditions. Native culture is a big part of the lives of many students and families, and a source of pride. Cultural education grounds students with traditional values and sets them on the path to success.

HCR020 | Concurrent Resolution Encouraging Prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Description
General Description: 

This concurrent resolution recognizes the detrimental effects of an adverse childhood experience (ACE) and emphasizes awareness and community engagement to prevent adverse childhood experiences.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This concurrent resolution recognizes the detrimental effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and emphasizes awareness and community engagement to prevent adverse childhood experiences.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 04, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 38
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Passage of this resolution will promote awareness of the long-term negative impacts upon children of adverse childhood experiences and encourages Utah's communities to strengthen opportunities for individuals and families to learn about ACEs and connect with services and activities that reduce the potential for future negative outcomes.

Commission: 
Health
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

NPTA PS Trauma Informed Care

Trauma-informed or sensitive schools provide resources and supports so that all adults within the school community can recognize and respond to those who have been impacted by traumatic stress, so that the school can provide evidence-based interventions and access to necessary services for students affected by ACEs.

HCR022 | Concurrent Resolution Celebrating the Contributions of Multilingual and Multicultural Families to Utah Schools

Description
General Description: 

This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor recognizes the contributions of multilingual and multicultural families to Utah's schools and recognizes the state's previous support for Utah's multilingual and multicultural families.

Highlighted Provisions: 

 This resolution:
celebrates the contributions of multilingual and multicultural families to Utah's  schools, recognizes the state's previous support for Utah's multilingual and multicultural families; encourages schools to utilize the "Parent and Family Engagement" self-reported indicators in the statewide school accountability system to highlight efforts to engage multilingual and multicultural families in conjunction with the federal Title I Compliance Cycle; encourages the State  Board of Education to expand the "Parent and Family Engagement" sample indicators to include metrics specific to multilingual and newcomer family engagement; 

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 4
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This resolution celebrates the contributions multilingual and multicultural families to Utah's schools. It promotes family engagement and states, " WHEREAS, the Utah Parent-Teacher's Association's resolution entitled, "Family Engagement in Education," affirms that "research has shown that the most significant predictor of a student's academic success is parental engagement in the student's education, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnic/racial background, or parents' educational level"

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA actively seek or develop and promote programs that assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies provide opportunities for parents to feel welcome at their children’s schools and to interact positively with teachers and other school personnel; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA promote the use of programs and tools, such as the Family Education Plan, to guide parent, alongside their children, in forming plans for their children’s education; and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA support policies of the State Board of Education and local school districts that result in practices that encourage parental engagement in education; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies encourage partnerships between community members and public schools that will champion parental engagement in education

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

The legislative policy is the philosophy and general principles which guide the Utah PTA’s consideration of proposed legislation.

The Utah PTA is a non-profit, grassroots, child advocacy association made up of parents, teachers, and students. 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: (1) the recognition of the home as the foundation of our society; (2) parental involvement as an essential component of all policy-making processes pertaining to children; (3) the observance and understanding of the rights and obligations of responsible citizenship and ethical government; and, (4) 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.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

6. Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social and emotional learning and well-being

HJR001 | Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - State Board of Education

Description
General Description: 

This joint resolution of the Legislature proposes to amend the Utah Constitution to modify a provision relating to the State Board of Education.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This resolution proposes to amend the Utah Constitution to:
eliminate the requirement that State Board of Education members be elected; and
to require that State Board of Education members be appointed as provided by statute (by the Governor).

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 04, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 20
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose
Impact on Children: 

Passage of this bill will put onto the ballot a measure to stop the election of State School Board members by the public and have the Governor appoint the members of the State School Board.

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

That Utah PTA support legislation which enacts direct, nonpartisan election of State School Board members and opposes partisan election of the same body.

HJR002S02 | Joint Resolution Encouraging Discussion on the Effects of Child Sexual Abuse

Description
General Description: 

This joint resolution encourages discussion about the effects and prevention of child sexual abuse.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This resolution:
acknowledges the widespread nature of child sexual abuse globally, nationally, and
at the state level;
▸ explains the impact of child sexual abuse on victims and communities;
▸ encourages discussion about the effects and prevalence of child sexual
▸ encourages greater study and discussion about ways in which the government, communities, and citizens of Utah can prevent child sexual abuse and support those affected.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 44
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Childhood sexual abuse infringes on the basic rights of human beings. The nature and dynamics of sexual abuse and sexually abusive relationships are often traumatic. When sexual abuse occurs in childhood it can hinder normal social growth and be a cause of many different psychosocial problems. This joint resolution encourages greater study and open discussion about the effects and
prevalence of child sexual abuse.

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

To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth. Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Include effective parent and family stakeholder engagement provisions in education and youth-related reauthorization bills

HJR003 | Joint Resolution Recognizing School Teachers

Description
General Description: 

This resolution recognizes Utah's public school educators for their extraordinary efforts to educate students during a public health crisis.

Highlighted Provisions: 

13 ▸ acknowledges the challenges educators in Utah's public schools faced in providing instruction during a public health crisis, including the challenges of remote
17 ▸ declares that curricular decisions should be made at the local level.
Recognizes National Teacher Appreciation Day on May 2, 2023
Legislature declares that curriculum choices for Utah students will continue to be made at the local school district

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
House/ to Lieutenant Governor
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 64
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Utah PTA recognizes the immense contribution of teachers in helping students achieve their full potential. Teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor in student achievement and teacher morale is essential to job satisfaction in the retention of teachers when measuring public school efficacy. This Resolution recognizes the importance of Utah's teachers to our public education system. 

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

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

HJR005 | Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Education Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This joint resolution of the Legislature proposes to amend the Utah Constitution to modify provisions relating to education.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 12, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose
Impact on Children: 

1.  Removes the constitutional guarantee that income tax revenues support educational funding.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2010-2 Funding for Education - Resolved, That Utah PTA continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority.

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2010-2 Funding for Education - 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 Priorities: 

Utah PTA Legislative Priority 2019-20 #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.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

Proposed Utah PTA Position Statement- 2020 Mass Media 

HJR007 | Joint Resolution Condemning Abusive Coaching Practices

Description
General Description: 

This resolution condemns abusive coaching practices in Utah schools.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This resolution condemns abusive coaching practices in Utah schools.

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
House/ to Lieutenant Governor
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 32
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Utah PTA unequivocally condemns all forms of child abuse.

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

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