Legislative Bills

SB0218S01 | Reading Assessment Expansion Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill expands a diagnostic assessment system for reading.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0218S01

Year:

2019

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$1,500,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2020: to State Board of Education -- Initiative Programs -- Electronic Elementary Reading Tool, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $1,500,000.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 1997-1 | Literacy (retired)

Impact on Children:

This bill will help to identify struggling readers beyond the third grade. Results of a longitudinal study of nearly 4000 students find that those who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to leave school without a diploma than proficient readers.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies encourage the Governor and the State Legislature to make literacy a priority for all Utah students.

SB0219S02 | Crisis Response Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill relates to crisis response treatment and resources.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0219S02

Year:

2019

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$1,800,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2020: to Department of Human Services -- Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $1,500,000. to Department of Human Services -- Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, as a one-time appropriation: from General Fund, One-time, $300,000.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2000-1 | Mental Illness (retired)

Impact on Children:

Will provide more resources to children and families for Mental Health Crisis.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA support prevention and intervention initiatives and appropriate state funding for: (1) collaborative efforts between the home, school, private physicians, and community resource agencies to create support networks for families,

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

https://www.pta.org/home/advocacy/ptas-positions/Individual-PTA-Resoluti...

SB0220 | School Readiness Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions of preschool programs.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill: defines terms; repeals the School Readiness Board; creates a school readiness team comprised of staff from the Department of Workforce Services' Office of Child Care and staff from the state board to fulfill certain duties regarding the school readiness grant programs; renames school readiness grant programs; prioritizes grant funding between grant programs; requires grant recipients to coordinate with UPSTART providers; and makes technical and conforming changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0220

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 21, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-1 | Early Childhood

Impact on Children:

The goal of these amendments are to enhance the school readiness programs, improve access to quality preschool education, and streamlines many educational processes. This purposes of these amendments hope to provide Utahans with many more quality preschool options.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies work collaboratively with existing early childhood programs to better coordinate services; and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies advocate for policies and funding to improve early childhood services throughout the state.

SB0220S01 | Missing Child Identification Program

Description

General Description:

This bill creates the Missing Child Identification Program to be administered by the attorney general.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill creates the Missing Child Identification Program to be administered by the attorney general to provide a fingerprint and DNA collection kit to a parent or legal guardian of a child entering kindergarten.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0220S01

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2016-2 | Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Impact on Children:

This bill will supply a kit to parents of Kindergarten students to collect fingerprints and DNA samples to be used if a child becomes missing.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

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 CHILD SAFETY AND PROTECTION Position Statement
• Assist in the identification and return of missing or runaway children.

SB0221S02 | Child Care Revisions

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies provisions related to caring for children.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill: ▸requires licensure for a residential child care provider when providing child care for a certain number of qualifying children; ▸requires certification for a residential child care provider when providing child care for a certain number of qualifying children; ▸amends provisions authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services to inspect the home of a certified child care provider under certain circumstances; ▸prohibits a certified residential child care provider from providing child care to more than two qualifying children under certain ages; ▸amends provisions of criminal background check requirements for a child care provider;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0221S02

Year:

2025

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 07, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2022-1 | Child Care

Impact on Children:

This bill allows for residential child cares to have more regulations and guidelines to provide safer and better quality child care. We hope to ensure the safety of all children and this is one outlet to help provide better safety for our children while in child care. Child care is a high need in the state of Utah and we support good legislation to ensure quality and proper child care.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved ,That Utah PTA support appropriate regulations to ensure quality child care; ...... and be it further Resolved ,That Utah PTA encourage affected agencies to examine existing policies and create new policies which will better serve the needs of both children and parents;

SB0222S01 | Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends requirements of the Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill amends requirements of the Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program. Introduces the term Benchmark assessment. Cleans language for years past.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0222S01

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 17, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

This is a clean up bill

Commission:

Education

SB0223S01 | Public Education Bullying Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts definitions of bullying for the public education code.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill: ▸amends the definition of "bullying"; ▸defines the terms "staff bullying" and "student bullying";

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0223S01

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

Impact on Children:

Having clear definitions of bullying helps protect children by ensuring that harmful behaviors are recognized, addressed, and prevented. It creates a safer school environment, promotes accountability, and empowers students to seek help when needed.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

National PTA Resolution on Bullying

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations support policies and programs that address the prevention, intervention, and elimination of bullying;

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.

SB0226S01 | Online Education Program Revisions

Description

General Description:

This bill makes revisions related to online education.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bil: allows a certified online course provider that the State Board of Education approves to offer courses directly through the Statewide Online Education
Program; establishes the requirements for the state board to approve certified online course providers; authorizes fees to cover the cost.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0226S01

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 22, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support w/ Comment

Utah PTA supports initiatives and strategies for digital equity and encourages the USBE to continue their study of the Statewide Online Education Program to determine how it will best achieve the USBE mission and goals.

Impact on Children:

This bill would allow the USBE to potentially expand the number of courses available to high school students through the Statewide Online Education Program.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

FAM 2021-2 DIGITAL EQUITY & ACCESS Position Statement

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage initiatives and strategies for digital equity in the form of equal privileges, opportunities, and access to internet for all children and youth in Utah.

That Utah PTA and its constituent association encourages policies that attempt to address all six components of connection necessary for the equal provision of digital privileges, opportunities, and responsibilities for children, namely: robust infrastructure, affordable subscriptions, accessible devices, digital literacy training, competent technical support, and linguistically and age-appropriate user-friendly content.

SB0232 | Minor Data Protection Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies the Protection of Personal Information Act.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill modifies the Protection of Personal Information Act. It creates a standard for how the personal information of a minor is maintained and/or destroyed.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0232

Year:

2024

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

National Position Statement - Student Data Privacy & Security

PTA is deeply committed to the promotion of privacy and security policies that maintain the confidentiality of sensitive data that students and families provide to educational institutions, as well as the data that is collected while using online products and services.

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 Public Policy Agenda

Strengthen online privacy protections for children and youth.

SB0234S01 | Statewide Online Education Program Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to the Statewide Online Education Program.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill allows an online course provider through the Statewide Online Education Program to offer online courses for middle school credit.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0234S01

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

Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA encourages the legislature to adequately fund critical education needs. Although we encourage policies that will increase equal privileges, opportunities, and access to internet for all children, we are concerned that this bill is in reaction to the current public health emergency and has not been adequately studied or funded. Utah PTA encourages USBE to continue their study of the Statewide Online Education Program to determine how it will best achieve the USBE mission and goals before any changes are implemented.

Impact on Children:

This bill would expand opportunities for student in middle school to take classes through the Statewide Online Education Program.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

FAM 2021-1 DIGITAL EQUITY AND ACCESS Position Statement
That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage initiatives and strategies for digital equity in the form of equal privileges, opportunities, and access to internet for all children and youth in Utah;

SB0234 | Maternal and Child Health Services Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses recipients of maternal and child health services.

Highlighted Provisions:

Inform users of maternal and child health services of other Health and Human Services including early childhood home visits. Also sets up a follow up system to see that needs are being addressed.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0234

Year:

2023

Status:

Senate/ 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:

FAM 2009-1 | Early Childhood

Impact on Children:

Early childhood has an outsized impact on the health and development of a child. More support during this critical stage of human development will help children to reach their full potential.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies advocate for policies and funding to improve early childhood services throughout the state.

SB0236 | State Board of Education Candidacy Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions of the Election Code relating to becoming a candidate for the office of State Board of Education member.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0236

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Apr 02, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2004-1 | State Board of Education (retired)

EDU 2015-3 | State Board of Education

Impact on Children:

Utah PTA believes the State Board of Education is designed to be a body representative of a geographic area and thus responsive, foremost, to voters and are concerned that partisan election of school board members may put the focus on political parties an not upon qualified candidates.

Commission:

Education

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

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

|

Description

General Description:

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill enacts an income tax credit for corporations who assist in the purchase of insurance benefits.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/sb0238.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:

Income tax credits reduce the funding available for public schools.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations oppose funding mechanisms such as vouchers, tax credits, deductions

SB0242 | Alternative Education Tax Credit Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts a refundable tax credit for certain education expenses.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
enacts a one-time refundable tax credit that an individual may claim for a dependent's education expenses resulting from disenrollment in public education and enrollment in private education or home school.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0242

Year:

2021

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 05, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2010-2 | Education Funding (retired)

Impact on Children:

This bill diverts tax dollars from the education fund creating less funding for public education programs.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA oppose vouchers, tax credits and deductions and other similar funding sources for public and private preschool, elementary and secondary school tuition and other education-related expenses for students.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Support education legislation which guarantees that public funds intended for the funding of the public education system not be allocated for private interests including vouchers, tax credits, or other means.

SB0244S02 | Ethnic Studies Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill requires ethnic studies in public schools.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
▸ requires the State Board of Education to incorporate ethnic studies into the core standards for Utah public schools (core standards);
▸ requires a local education agency to:
• adopt ethnic studies instructional materials and curriculum that align with core standards; and
• integrate ethnic studies into regular school work for kindergarten through grade 12;
▸ creates the Ethnic Studies Commission (commission) to:
• study the contributions of ethnic minorities in Utah; and
• recommend to the state board how to incorporate ethnic studies into core standards;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0244S02

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA supports having standards that are more representative of the general population. This will benefit students in general and support minority students whose stories have been sometimes ignored or distorted to feel they are represented. However, Utah PTA recognizes that proposing these standards is under the purview of the Utah State Board of Education rather than the legislature.

Commission:

Community Engagement

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.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA Statement: Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Acknowledge and appreciate individual ideas, knowledge and values that are different from
our own.
Seek out and learn from a diverse set of perspectives, skills and experiences, staying open to the unfamiliar and possibly uncomfortable.

National PTA Position Statement: CITIZENSHIP AND EQUALITY
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;

SB0251S01 | Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program

Description

General Description:

This bill makes changes to the Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program.

Highlighted Provisions:

"14 ▸ permits a local education agency to select certain teachers as candidates for a
15 scholarship award through the Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor
16 Pipeline Program (program);
17 ▸ allows scholarship money awarded through the program to be used for stipends for
18 school counselor assistants"

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0251S01

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2022

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:

This bill will help fill the tremendous shortfall in the number of available school counselors by making a pathway for districts to be able to "grow their own" school counselors.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations actively advocate for increased funding for additional trained counselors, psychologists, and social workers to assist and educate families and youth in both elementary and secondary schools participating in the public school system.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

4. Support the continued development of educator career pathways programs including pathways for counselor, psychologist and social workers. Support incentives & programs to increase the number of counselors, psychologists and social workers for greater access for our students.

SB0258S01 | Upstart Program Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends and enacts provisions of the UPSTART program.

Highlighted Provisions:

UPSTART PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0258S01

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 17, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA believes that Early Childhood programs should stay under the management of an educational entity and keep high standards in learning and assessment.

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-1 | Early Childhood

Impact on Children:

Experiences in early childhood determine whether a child’s developing brain architecture provides a strong foundation for future learning, behavior, and health. Excellent education in early childhood set the child on a path of success.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies educate parents on the importance of quality early childhood learning experiences; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies work collaboratively with existing early childhood programs to better coordinate services; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies advocate for policies and funding to improve early childhood services throughout the state

SB0260 | School Events Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill directs the State Board of Education to make rules clarifying that school principals and local education agency administration have authority to remove a spectator or participant from a school-sponsored activity for certain disruptive behavior under certain circumstances.

Highlighted Provisions:

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0260

Year:

2024

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2022-1 | Safe School Policies

Impact on Children:

Poor behavior by spectators at school sporting events has been an increasing problem. Principals and school personnel need additional tools to manage the behavior of spectators. All community members should work together to provide a safe environment for our students.

Commission:

Education

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

SB0263S02 | Electronic Cigarette and Other Nicotine Product Tax Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies tax provisions in the Electronic Cigarette and Nicotine Product Taxation and Licensing Act.

Highlighted Provisions:

requires the State Tax Commission to:
• increase enforcement of the collection of the electronic cigarette and nicotine product tax;
• conduct a study on enforcement and collection of the electronic cigarette and nicotine product tax; and
• report the State Tax Commission's findings and recommendations to the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0263S02

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 23, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth

Impact on Children:

It will hopefully improve the enforcement of e-cigarette laws, and help with the collection of the e-cigarette tax. In turn, that will help to fund positive behavior programs, etc., that are to be paid for with those $$$.

Commission:

Advocacy Conference

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Support state and local ordinances that appropriately address regulations of ENDS products; and...support the position that any revenue generated through taxation of ENDS should support tobacco cessation and prevention programs

SB0268S03 | First Home Investment Zone Act

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts the First Home Investment Zone Act.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill enacts the First Home Investment Zone Act which would provide affordable, owner-occupied housing. It also takes the tax increment from schools.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0268S03

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 21, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose w/ Comment

While Utah PTA supports adequate funding for federal and state housing programs that will increase the number of affordable housing units, we are also resolved to encourage the legislature to take all necessary steps to ensure stable and adequate funding mechanisms to properly facilitate the education of all students including but not limited to areas of high growth. Removal of the tax increment income from LEAs, severely hinders their ability to properly manage the potential growth due to increased housing.

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding

Impact on Children:

While this would create more affordable housing for families and children it takes away funding received by LEAs through the tax increment. This would make it difficult for schools to support the potential increased growth.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Be it resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations support the maintenance of a stable and adequate funding mechanism to support public education based on the following principles: enrollment growth; inflation; support of a K-12 education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account; funding the USBE Strategic Plan.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

1. 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.
4. Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Legislative Bills

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