Legislative Bills

HB0081 | Mental Health Days for Students

Description

General Description:

This bill adds mental or behavioral health as a valid excuse for a school absence.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill adds mental or behavioral health as a valid excuse for school absence

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0081

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 11, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

While the concept of allowing absence for reasons of mental or behavioral health is laudable, parents can currently excuse their child's absences for any reason.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

NPTA Mental Health Programs and Services
That National PTA and its constituent associations promote educational programs for parents and families to strengthen understanding and supportive home
environment.

HB0081S02 | Sexual Solicitation Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies the elements and penalties for sexual solicitation and related offenses.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill amends the enhanced penalties for HIV positive offenders for the offenses of prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, and sexual solicitation;
it also adjusts the elements and penalties for the offense of sexual solicitation;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0081S02

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 22, 2022

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:

The penalty will be increased with the sexual solicitation of a minor both online and in person.

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;

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.

HB0081S01 | School Counselor Services

Description

General Description:

This bill directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules regarding school counselors.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0081S01

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 21, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2017-2 | Support for Counselors, Psychologists, and Social Workers in Schools

Impact on Children:

School Counselors need to be available for the children and not caught up in administrative work.

Commission:

Health

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations be involved in local and statewide efforts to educate parents, teachers, administrators and policy makers including school board members, to understand the need for and benefit of counseling programs in both secondary and elementary schools

HB0082S03 | School Assembly Notice Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill requires prior parental notice of certain school assemblies.

Highlighted Provisions:

13 ▸ requires local education agencies to provide:
14 • prior notice of certain school assemblies to parents and guardians; and
15 • resources related to certain school assemblies for home use by parents and
16 guardians.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0082S03

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:

FAM 2023-1 | Parenting

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved that The Utah PTA recognizes the importance of parental roles. and encourages parental involvement in their children's lives

HB0083 | Optional Firearm Background Checks

Description

General Description:

This bill concerns an optional criminal history background check by a Federal Firearms Licensee before the transfer of a firearm between private parties.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill provides procedures for an optional criminal history background check by a Federal Firearms Licensee for the transfer of a firearm between persons who are not Federal Firearms Licensees.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0083

Year:

2022

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 04, 2022

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.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

National PTA Gun Safety and Violence Prevention
Our association advocates for the following: Universal background checks, that require any individual or entity who sells a firearm to conduct background checks and fill out proper paperwork so that guns can be traced. This includes sales at gun shows, private transactions and online sales.

National PTA Firearms Position Statement
Given the history and tradition of strong support for the safety and protection of children and youth, PTA supports federal restrictions on firearms that would:
• Require a waiting period and comprehensive background check for all individuals prior to purchasing a firearm, to screen out illegal firearm purchasers such as convicted felons, violent misdemeanors including domestic assaults, and drug-related offenders;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Require a waiting period and a comprehensive background check for all individuals prior to purchasing a firearm.

HB0083 | Tax Credit for Educator Expenses

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts a nonrefundable income tax credit for certain educator expenses.

Highlighted Provisions:

enacts a nonrefundable individual income tax credit that an eligible educator may claim for certain out-of-pocket classroom expenses. Up to $500/educator (for about 60K educators) - 28 Million Fiscal Note

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0083

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

Teachers using personal funds to pay for office supplies and others is common knowledge. These expenses should be covered by the public education budget, rather than by teachers.
We support this bill, but express concerns over the lack of fiscal guardrails

Commission:

Education

HB0084S05 | School Safety Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill establishes a system for school safety incidents.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:

▸ Requires key boxes for buildings with restricted access to have secure accountability procedures for keys;

▸ Amends the International Fire Code;

▸ Requires certain state buildings and schools to have emergency communication systems;

▸ Requires school resource officer training to be developed by the state security chief;

▸ Establishes duties of the state security chief and a county security chief in relation to school safety initiatives;

▸ Establishes a school guardian program;

▸ Requires threat reporting by state employees and others if they become aware of threats to schools;

▸ Establishes some reporting from the SafeUT Crisis Line to the state's intelligence databases;

▸ Requires certain school safety data to be included in the annual school disciplinary report;

▸ Expands requirements for school resource officer contracts and policies;

▸ Requires designation of certain school safety personnel;

▸ Requires panic alert devices and video camera access for schools and classrooms;

▸ Requires coordination of emergency call information with the state's intelligence system;

▸ Amends process for secure firearm storage under certain circumstances to include school guardians.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0084S05

Year:

2024

Status:

House/ enrolled bill to Printing

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$104,306,100

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2025: to State Board of Education - Contracted Initiatives and Grants - School Safety and Support Grant Program as a one-time appropriation: from the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account, One-time, $100,000,000 to State Board of Education - Contracted Initiatives and Grants - Early Warning Program as an ongoing appropriation: from the Income Tax Fund, $2,100,000 to State Board of Education - Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind - Administration as an ongoing appropriation: from the Income Tax Fund, $45,700 to Department of Public Safety - Programs & Operations - Department Commissioner's Office as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, $2,118,100 to Legislature - House of Representatives - Administration as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, One-time, $11,200 to Legislature - Senate - Administration as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, One-time, $11,200 to Legislature - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel - Administration as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, One-time, $19,900

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support w/ Comment

Utah PTA supports efforts to keep our students safe at school. Utah PTA has not resolved our members concerns about implementation of the School Guardian program.

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2022-1 | Safe School Policies

Impact on Children:

This bill will increase the safety of children while at school.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved,that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage all efforts to address school safety to involve all stakeholders, especially students, parents, and families, and consider a variety of factors including the physical and psychological safety of students;

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage investment from Federal, State and local decision makers for the necessary physical and psychological student supports and services, including locally determined physical safety measures, appropriate resources for health and wellness services, research-based online safety programs, qualified school-based health and wellness practitioners, training on trauma-informed practices, and optional mental health screenings for all students,

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:

Enhance the physical safety of school buildings, address environmental health hazards and invest in disaster preparedness through emergency planning, infrastructure improvements and physical security measures without undermining the school environment or causing psychological harm through trainings, lockdowns or responses to false threats of violence, also known as “swatting.”

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

SAFETY: Support funding to strengthen school safety measures. This includes the improvement of school infrastructure to ensure safety and security, implementation of comprehensive safety training, adoption of evidence-based strategies for community violence intervention and means reduction, as well as the education of families and communities on school safety protocols, children's online security, and the assessment of digital threats posed to schools across Utah.

HB0084 | Traffic Code Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions in the Traffic Code regarding the penalties for passing a school bus.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0084

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

While school buses remain the safest way for students to get to and from school, students who ride in buses are most vulnerable when they are outside the bus in the "danger zone", the area that they enter or exit a school bus. In a recent one-day test with the state of Utah, officials found 917 drivers totally disregarded school bus stop arms, this translates into more than 165,000 Stop Arm Violations in a school year.

Studies have shown that, without the threat of enforcement and without the public actually seeing or hearing about the law being enforced (this includes prosecution and conviction) there will be no change in behavior.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That the National PTA urge its state branches, councils, and local units to work with other community groups and agencies to maintain a continuing surveillance of safety matters in their areas; and be it further

Resolved, That state laws and local ordinances be monitored to assure adequate safety regulations for the protection of children and youth;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

3. The observance and understanding of the rights and obligations of responsible citizenship and ethical government; and,

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

4. Support safe practices and environments for all children.

Links

National PTA Safety Resolution

HB0084S01 | Child Support Statute of Limitations

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the statute of limitations for child support.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill repeals the statute of limitations for child support orders and sum certain judgments for past due support; provides that a child support order, or a sum certain judgment for past due support, is not subject to the civil statutes of limitations or repose and expires only upon payment in full.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0084S01

Year:

2022

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 04, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2007-1 | Parenting (retired)

Impact on Children:

Child have a better chance of reaching their potential when they are in a financially secure environment. Having adequate child support will help ease the stress of family finances.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA recognizes the importance of parental roles and encourages parental involvement in all aspects of their children’s lives;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship. Engage the public in united and equitable efforts to secure the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being of all children and youth.

HB0086S03 | Parenting Plan Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses modification of a parenting plan.

Highlighted Provisions:

Require an educational course before modifying a parenting plan agreed on in a divorce. This course could be waived by the court.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0086S03

Year:

2022

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 04, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2007-1 | Parenting (retired)

Impact on Children:

The required education course would help parents consider the needs of a child of divorced parents. As a child advocacy group, we support legislation that helps protect children and considers their needs in time of adjustment.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA recognizes the importance of parental roles and encourages parental involvement in all aspects of their children’s lives;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Support increased education and awareness campaigns to share evidence-based mental health knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders to students, families, and communities; and, provide early intervention and prevention programs; and, help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

Legislative Bills

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