Legislative Bills

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HB0138S06 | Sensitive Material Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends requirements and prohibitions regarding sensitive material within the public school system.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Requires provisions in a contract between the State Board of Education (state board)
or a local education agency (LEA) and a vendor in a contract for digital instructional
material that:
• requires notice of changes to the digital instructional material; and
• allows the relevant state board or LEA to reject the changes or terminate the
contract in certain circumstances; and

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 03, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 20
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This bill is important so that school boards or LEAs are aware of the digital material being used in schools, even when that information is being continually updated. It puts the LEA on notice of updates and allows them time to review the updates before they are used in the schools with the students.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations work to set high expectations in digital and interactive media, for the distribution, motivation, and skilled use of technology in caring for and protecting children and youth in Utah; and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA and constituent associations urge its members at all levels to advocate for federaland local laws, regulations and programs that prohibit digital content that is considered illegal or harmful to children;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

4. SAFETY. Support funding to strengthen school safety measures including upgrading school buildings to be safe and secure, safety training and educating families and communities on school safety policies, children’s online safety, and evaluating digital threats to schools in Utah.

HB0139S01 | Sex and Kidnap Offender Registry Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends sex and kidnap offender registry requirements.

Highlighted Provisions: 

▸ amends sex and kidnap offender registry requirements for an offender who commits
certain offenses in another state;

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 61
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Children should be safe in their community and should be protected from dangerous individuals;

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.

HB0140 | Standard Response Protocol to Active Threats in Schools

Description
General Description: 

This bill codifies and expands on existing administrative rules related to required emergency drills in public schools.

Highlighted Provisions: 

codifies portions of existing administrative rules made by the State Board of
Education (state board) regarding required emergency preparedness plans,
▸ requires monthly and developmentally appropriate training or drills regarding an
active threat within the school;

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 3
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

One of the purposes of Utah PTA is to promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship. This bill would promote the safety of children at school so students and all school personnel will know what to do in any emergency.
 

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;

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.
 

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

SAFETY. Support funding to strengthen school safety measures including upgrading school buildings to be safe and secure, safety training and educating families and communities on school safety policies, children’s online safety, and evaluating digital threats to schools in Utah.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

PTA firmly believes that all students—including students from historically marginalized populations—have the right to a quality, equitable education in a safe, supportive and inclusive school.

HB0143 | DUI Penalty Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies the penalty for driving under the influence.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Increases the penalty for a second driving under the influence conviction to a class A misdemeanor under certain circumstances

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 22, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 68
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

With a stronger penalty on multiple DUI offenses, that will hopefully be more of a deterrent, and lead to less DUI occurrences, and less DUI accidents and deaths.

Commission: 
Student Leadership
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

PTA continue to work to encourage more stringent laws and penalties concerning
driving under the influence of alcohol

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

HB0146 | Human Trafficking Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses human trafficking education and prevention.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill addresses human trafficking education and prevention by directing the Office of the Attorney General to hire a state human trafficking intervention coordinator. 

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 01, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 50
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Empowering individuals through education serves as a potent tool in the fight against human trafficking. This bill aims to sustain and propel the ongoing efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking.

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;

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.

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations encourage and call for members, policy makers in government, inter-governmental bodies and non-governmental, school and community organizations to raise awareness and to address those conditions and situations that contribute to child trafficking.
 

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Promote the inclusion of safety education in the curriculum at all levels of public schools and incorporate an age appropriate violence prevention component into existing courses of study.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Promote the inclusion of safety education in the curriculum at all levels of public schools and incorporate an ageappropriate violence prevention component into existing courses of study.

HB0146 | Concurrent Enrollment Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends requirements for a student to be eligible to participate in concurrent enrollment.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 22, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 50
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Current law allows only students in grades 11 and 12 to participate in Concurrent Enrollment Courses. This Bill will expand those opportunities to students in grades 9 and 10, leading to better college and career readiness.

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

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; and be it further

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; and be it further

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.

HB0148 | Artificial Pornographic Images Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions in Title 76, Chapter 5b, Sexual Exploitation Act.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill clarifies that certain prohibited materials in Title 76, Chapter 5b, Sexual Exploitation Act, includes computer-generated videos.

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 15
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill aims to protect individuals, including minors, from the unauthorized sharing of intimate images, including computer-generated videos.

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 sexual nature and all forms of sexual exploitation;

 

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

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

Address threats to the safety and well-being of children that can happen online, such as cyberbullying, exploitation, criminal activity and violence.

HB0148S01 | Alcohol Education Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates the Drinking While Pregnant Prevention Media and Education Campaign Restricted Account and provides for the use and oversight of account funds.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
        ▸     amends provisions regarding what the Drinking While Pregnant Prevention Media and Education Campaign Restricted Account consists of;
        ▸     requires deposits into the Drinking While Pregnant Prevention Media and Education Campaign Restricted Account of a percentage of the total gross revenue from the sale of liquor;

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 51
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Passage of this bill will take a percentage of the sales of liquor (0.2%-0.4%) to be used to help educate concerning the dangers to the fetus of women alcohol who consume alcohol while they are pregnant.

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

That Utah PTA work to ensure that there are questions asked in prenatal health care about use of alcohol, and that the medical community understand and work to educate people concerning the prevention of FAS/FAE

HB0149 | Student Graduation Attire Revisions

Description
General Description: 

This bill allows individuals to wear cultural attire during graduation ceremonies.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
12          ▸     allows all public school students to wear items of religious or cultural significance
13                  as part of their graduation attire.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 03, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 40
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Being able to honor their family and culture during graduation is of major importance to many of our students.

Commission: 
Student Leadership
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 uphold the value of diversity and multiculturalism as an asset to our state, our communities and our classrooms by seeking out ways to welcome and support refugee students and families to integrate as part of our school community;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

3. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. Support policies which will increase family and community engagement and promote local positive parental involvement across the state of Utah.

HB0153S01 | Child Welfare Interview Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill makes changes concerning child interviews during a child welfare investigation.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill requires the Division of Child and Family Services (division) to take certain steps to ensure a child who is interviewed during a child welfare investigation is supported and comfortable during the interview; requires a support person who is present at a child's interview during a child welfare investigation to meet certain requirements. This does not apply when the interview happens at a Children's Justice Center as those are designed as child friendly centers for children that have been abused. The majority of the time it is a parent that brings them there.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 9
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

A child going through a child welfare interview has already experienced a stressful situation. Children should be able to feel as comfortable as possible in the interviews.

Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

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

HB0156S01 | Education Board Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions regarding governance of the public education system.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill modifies provisions relating to state school board powers by prioritizing legislative control over the USBE.

Bill Details
Year: 
2025
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 07, 2025
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 62
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Local Issue
Impact on Children: 

Utah State Board of Education Members are specifically elected by the residents of Utah to manage and direct public education in the state. Their authority should not be supplanted by Legislative decisions.

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

hat Utah PTA recognizes the State Board of Education as the body elected to establish policy and standards for education in the State of Utah

HB0158S03 | Juvenile Interrogation Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses the interrogation of minors who are in custody for an offense.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill addresses the rights of minors who are taken into custody; addresses the waiver of certain rights by minors; addresses the knowingness and voluntariness of waivers by minors; clarifies a minor's waiver to the right to counsel for court proceedings; and makes technical and conforming changes.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 16, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 61
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential—even if they make a mistake while growing up. Second chances are important as children learn and grow into adulthood. This bill would ensure that the rights of minors are taken into custody are preserved.

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

National PTA CHILD SAFETY AND PROTECTION Position Statement

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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.
High standards for those who work in all areas concerned with children and youth.
Coordination and planning by all agencies with clear definition of responsibility at each level of government.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

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

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

National PTA CHILD SAFETY AND PROTECTION Position Statement
Promote initiatives to address racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities in the juvenile justice system.
Encourage collaboration between law enforcement, the judicial system, and child welfare agencies.
Promote alternative dispute resolution techniques that provide a range of possible sanctions

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Juvenile Justice is not on the Checklist this year but is part of their public policy agenda. https://www.pta.org/home/advocacy/federal-legislation/Public-Policy-Agen...

HB0160 | Distracted Driver Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to the use of a handheld wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
13          ▸     defines terms related to the operation of handheld wireless communication devices;
14          ▸     prohibits certain uses of a handheld wireless communication device while operating
15     a motor vehicle on a roadway;
16          ▸     provides limited exceptions to the prohibition on the use of a handheld wireless
17     communication device while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway;

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 34
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

The changes would increase the ability to enforce the law by not allowing any manual manipulation and thereby making Utah roads safer for all.

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

National PTA Resolution on Distracted Driving Resolved, That PTA and its constituent associations support the adoption and enforcement of laws that restrict the manipulation of handheld and portable communication devices while driving;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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.

HB0161S01 | Foreign Language Education Funding Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to the funding of foreign language education.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Prevents funding from a restricted foreign entity to the dual immersion program.
Aligns the dual immersion programs funding with the WPU (requiring growth and inflation adjustment)

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 49
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$3,115,900
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2024: to the Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs: from the Uniform School Fund, $2,337,000; and to the University of Utah - Education and General, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Income Tax Fund, $778,900.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This bill aligns funding for dual immersion with the WPU. It gives an inflationary/growth boost to dual immersion students in the state.

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

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs

HB0161 | Overdose Harm Reduction Working Group

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates a working group to study harm reduction oriented strategies to reduce overdose injuries and deaths in the state.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill creates a working group to study harm reduction oriented strategies to reduce overdose injuries and death in the state

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 04, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 24
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

The working group created by this bill under the Utah Substance Abuse Advisory Council will study more deeply how to reduce overdose injuries and death

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

That Utah PTA supports legislative action that promotes education or cessation programs regarding substance abuse

|

Description
General Description: 
Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill, subject to certain exceptions, provides that a law passed by a local school board, other than a law imposing a new tax or tax increase, may be referred to the voters of the school district for the voters approval or rejection.

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 71
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

We are concerned that making local school board property tax increases subject to referendum would destabilize funding mechanisms for public schools.

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

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

HB0162 | Period Products in Schools

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires local school boards and charter school governing boards to provide period products in certain restrooms within all school facilities.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill requires local school boards and charter school governing boards to provide period products in certain restrooms within all school facilities.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 14
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

One of the main reasons for absenteeism for teenaged girls in Utah schools is lack of access to feminine products and the ability to purchase them. This also causes anxiety and depression. Providing feminine products at school will improve equity between boys and girls.

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

That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies encourage district school boards or charter school boards to adopt policies to examine their own chronic absenteeism data; implement prevention programs, positive support, and outreach strategies and services for students and families; and develop community-wide awareness strategies to address chronic absenteeism

That Utah PTA support programs that help mentoring families, including those that focus on the individual or family for a significant amount of time, teaching parenting skills, promoting continuing education, encouraging good health care for themselves and their children, and helping children succeed in school.

HB0163 | Protecting Student Religious and Moral Beliefs Regarding Athletic Uniform Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses requirements for uniforms worn while participating in certain school athletic activities.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Provides that certain associations and educational organizations may not prohibit a student athlete from wearing religious clothing, or other clothing consistent with the student athlete's beliefs, while participating in an athletic activity

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 49
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Uniform requirements would not be allowed to prohibit participants from wearing religious clothing on or under the uniform. Students would also be allowed to wear clothing on or under the uniform to cover or conceal body parts they would not like exposed for moral reasons

Commission: 
Individual Development
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 uphold the value of diversity and multiculturalism as an asset to our state, our communities and our classrooms by seeking out ways to welcome and support refugee students and families to integrate as part of our school community;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

3. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. Support policies which will increase family and community engagement and promote local positive parental involvement across the state of Utah.

HB0167S01 | State Child Care Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses on-site child care for state employees.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This Bill:
13 ▸ creates the State Child Care Pilot Program (pilot program) within the Division of
14 Human Resource Management to allow certain state agencies to contract with a
15 child care provider to establish an on-site child care center for the agency's
16 employees in a facility owned or operated by the agency;
17 ▸ requires a child care provider that establishes an on-site child care center under the
18 pilot program to maintain liability insurance coverage;

The 1st substitution made changes so it is funded by those using the child care services rather than by the state.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 15, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 37
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This program will study the efficacy of on-site child care. If successful it will help improve care for your children.

Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage more public and private efforts to provide after-school care; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA support appropriate regulations to ensure quality child care; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage business and community groups to support 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; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA help to educate parents concerning the dangers of leaving all schoolchildren unattended, even if the children appear to be mature and have learned survival skills

HB0168 | Artificial Intelligence in Education

Description
General Description: 

This bill establishes a task force to guide the implementation and use of artificial intelligence in Utah's education system.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill establishes a task force to guide the implementation and use of artificial intelligence in Utah's education system.

Bill Details
Year: 
2025
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 07, 2025
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 15
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support w/ Comment

The Utah PTA supports HB 168, which establishes the Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force.We recognize the importance of exploring AI’s role in education to enhance learning, improve equity, and protect student privacy. However we strongly recommend increasing the representation of classroom teachers on the task force. Currently the bill provides for only one teacher, but to ensure that AI policies and guidelines reflect the diverse needs of Utah’s students, teachers from elementary, middle and high schools should be
included. These educators bring firsthand knowledge of the unique challenges and
opportunities present at different grade levels, which is critical for developing thoughtful and
practical AI policies. We urge lawmakers to consider expanding teacher representation on the
task force to create a more inclusive and well- rounded perspective as Utah moves forward in
shaping AI’s role in education.

Impact on Children: 

Creating a task force to address and understand the issues and concerns of Artificial Intelligence and its effects on children in the public school system is necessary and important. With the regular increase of AI's potential for good and bad in our public schools, increased vigilance and knowledge is critical for the safety and health of our children.

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

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations be familiar with advances in technology, social networking, digital devices, applications (apps), gaming technologies, etc., their uses, and the potential impact on the safety and development on youth and teens

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

Address threats to the safety and well-being of children that can happen online, such as cyberbullying, exploitation, criminal activity and violence.