Legislative Bills

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Description

General Description:

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill provides that, subject to certain exceptions, an election officer is only required to send ballots by mail to active voters who request, in a voter registration form or another written document, to receive ballots for all future elections by mail; modifies the voter registration form to permit a voter to make the request described in the preceding paragraph; requires a county clerk to, subject to certain exceptions, notify active voters of the requirement to request to receive ballots by mail; and provide active voters with a form to make the request; permits a voter to request to stop receiving ballots by mail;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/HB0092.html

Year:

2024

Status:

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

COM 2017-1 | Partisan Politics and Redistricting

Impact on Children:

Mail-in voting is a way to allow those who would not otherwise be able to vote the opportunity to do so. Those who are not able to participate in in-person voting due to physical constraints have the opportunity to vote with mail-in voting, thus allowing more inclusive and representative voting. This allows a greater number of people to be involved in the voting process. Utah PTA supports programs and policies that promote constructive civic engagement and citizenship.

Commission:

Individual Development

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations urge the Utah Legislature to bring the government closer to all Utahns by supporting legislation that protects each voter’s right to be heard in an election without partisan politics controlling the election process,

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT: Support programs and policies that promote constructive civic engagement and citizenship, positive character development, and strengthen individual students.

HB0093S02 | Youth Suicide Prevention Programs Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to the purposes for youth suicide prevention programs.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
▸ amends provisions related to the purposes for youth suicide prevention programs;
▸ requires school districts and charter schools to ensure coordination between youth
suicide prevention programs and certain other prevention programs;
▸ repeals a separate program to consolidate funding and effort into one
comprehensive suicide prevention program

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0093S02

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 16, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2019-2 | Youth Suicide Prevention

Impact on Children:

Passage of this bill will better link the efforts of suicide prevention and other prevention programs, i.e. bullying, cyber-bullying, underage drinking of alcohol, and substance abuse.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

"That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support evidence-based suicide prevention programs focused on improving mental health including, but not limited to, teaching students, teachers, and parents mindfulness skills, coping skills, decision making skills, and helping them to build connections and improve dispositions; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for more research and funding in determining the causes of suicide, and advocate for best practices in treating mental illness and suicidal ideation"

HB0097 | Gun Safety Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill concerns a waiting period for the sale of a firearm.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill creates a waiting period between the purchase of a firearm from a dealer and the delivery of the firearm to the purchaser;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0097

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

Support

Year after year, PTA members advocate for sensible gun safety and violence prevention policies that will help keep children safe. National PTA believes policies and legislation must include a waiting period and comprehensive background check for all individuals prior to purchasing a firearm, to screen out illegal firearm purchasers.

Impact on Children:

No parent should have to fear for the safety of their child every time they leave home. Unfortunately, far too often, lives are lost or changed forever due to gun violence. This bill creates a waiting period between the purchase of a firearm from a dealer and the delivery of the firearm to the purchaser and will keep children and our community safer.

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:

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.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

NATIONAL PTA POSITION STATEMENT FIREARMS :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

Support sensible solutions to gun violence, including promoting the safe and secure storage of firearms, strengthening the federal background check system, investing in evidence-based community violence interventions and addressing youth access to firearms, especially assault or military-style weapons.

HB0097 | Gun Safety Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill concerns a waiting period for the sale of a firearm.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill creates a waiting period between the purchase of a firearm from a dealer and the delivery of the firearm to the purchaser.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0097

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

Support

Impact on Children:

No parent should have to fear for their child's safety every time they leave home. Unfortunately, far too often, lives are lost or changed forever due to gun violence. This bill creates a waiting period between the purchase of a firearm from a dealer and the delivery of the firearm to the purchaser and will keep children and our community safer.

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:

SAFETY: Adoption of evidence-based strategies for community violence intervention and means reduction.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

NATIONAL PTA POSITION STATEMENT FIREARMS: 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;

Require a waiting period and a comprehensive background check for any individual prior to buying a firearm from both licensed and unlicensed dealers

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Firearms are the second-leading cause of death for American children and teens, with nearly 1,600 children and teens dying by gun homicide every year. Congress must: ✓ Fund federal research on the causes and effects of gun violence on youth and in communities, as well as research on evidence-based strategies to reduce gun violence

HB0098 | Firearm Access Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill requires that a firearm is secured and provides penalties.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill requires that a firearm is securely stored or rendered inoperable by a locking device; and sets civil penalties for violations.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0098

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

Support

Firearms stand as the primary cause of mortality among American children and teens, causing injuries to thousands annually. It is crucial to acknowledge that ensuring secure storage is an adult responsibility, playing a vital role in preventing unauthorized and unsupervised access to firearms by children.

Impact on Children:

The bill mandates secure storage or disabling of firearms when not in use, and introduces civil penalties for non-compliance. This will increase safety for our children and communities.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

National PTA Resolution on Safe Storage of Firearms

Resolved, That National PTA urges its constituent associations to encourage state governments to enact laws which require owners to store firearms, whether they are loaded or unloaded, in a securely locked container, to prevent access by children under the age of 18.

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 Public Policy Agenda

HB0098 | Sexual Offense Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill creates the offense of sexual conduct without affirmative consent.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill creates a third degree felony offense of sexual conduct without affirmative consent; amends the Sex and Kidnap Offender Registry to include the offense of sex conduct without affirmative consent.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0098

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:

SAF 2016-3 | Impact of Pornography on Youth

Impact on Children:

This law would help victims of sexual assault by closing the gap of sexual conduct without affirmative consent. Currently defendants can escape criminal liability for engaging in sex where the victim is not consenting, through avoiding awareness of the victim's non-consent, such an an inebriated or sleeping victim, or when the victim "freezes" due to fear.

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 encourage and call for members, policy
makers, schools and community organizations to actively raise awareness and to address
those conditions and situations that contribute to the sexual exploitation of a minor

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

HB0099 | Sex Offender Restrictions Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill increases the penalty for repeat offenders of sex offender restrictions.

Highlighted Provisions:

12 ▸ increases the penalty for repeat offenders of sex offender restrictions; and
13 ▸ makes technical changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0099

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-2 | Child Abuse and Neglect

Impact on Children:

Children should be safe in their community and should be protected from dangerous individuals. Children should be protected from sex offenders in public places where children congregate. If sex offenders ignore the restrictions placed upon them, then the penalties should be increased to encourage compliance.

Commission:

Safety

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

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:

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

HB0099S01 | Enhanced Kindergarten Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses requirements and funding for optional enhanced kindergarten.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0099S01

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 28, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$10,000,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2021: to the State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $9,955,000; and to the State Board of Education - MSP Categorical Program Administration, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $45,000.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2007-1 | Full-Day Kindergarten (retired)

Impact on Children:

This bill addresses requirements and funding for optional enhanced kindergarten. Optional extended day kindergarten contributes to increased school readiness, leads to higher academic achievement, enhances social and emotional learning of a child and supports literacy and language development.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA supports the expansion of optional full-day kindergarten programs for students in need of support to achieve minimal learning standards and requests increased funding to support such expansion.

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%.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

National PTA's 2019-2020 Public Policy Agenda

Early Learning and Childhood Education: The PTA has advocated for over a century to provide affordable, accessible and high-quality early education programs to all children, such as universal kindergarten. It is critical to PTA’s mission to empower all families with the tools and practices they need to effectively engage in their child’s education and development, starting at the earliest stages.

https://www.pta.org/home/advocacy/federal-legislation/Public-Policy-Agen...

Links

National PTA's 2019-2020 Public Policy Agenda

Utah PTA 2019-2020 Legislative Priorities

HB0100S03 | Food Security Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill establishes a program to provide lunch at no cost to an eligible student.

Highlighted Provisions:

Eliminates reduced breakfast and lunch for students who qualify and provides them meal for free. Provides meals for free in the summer via EBT.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0100S03

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

While this bill addresses food insecurity in elementary schools, it leaves vulnerable secondary students without accesses to nutritious meals they need for adequate growth and development. This issue is not one of parents unwillingness to provide food for their children, but of families being unable to meet this critical need given extreme financial hardship.

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2023-1 | Child Nutrition and Food Insecurity

Impact on Children:

Reduce food debt and increase access to food for children qualifying for reduced lunch during the school year and in the summer

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations call on state, district and local leaders to take action to reduce and eliminate hunger and food insecurity for Utah's children through policy and funding;

HB0101S02 | Law Enforcement Reporting Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses law enforcement reporting requirements.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill requires the Bureau of Criminal Identification to collect statistics on the source of firearms recovered from restricted persons

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0101S02

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 13, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 1995-1 | Firearms Responsibility / Injury Prevention

Impact on Children:

No parent should have to fear for the safety of their child every time they leave home. Unfortunately, far too often, lives are lost or changed forever due to gun violence. This bill will collect statistics on the sources where restricted persons obtained recovered firearms, and will therefore inform policy makers and allow them to address these problems.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, The Utah PTA support collaboration among criminal justice, public health, medical, educational, and other organizations interested in this problem;

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:

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

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, lock downs or responses to false threats of violence, also known as “swatting.”

Legislative Bills

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