Legislative Bills

HB0168 | Sale of Sexual Assault Test Kits Prohibited

Description

General Description:

This bill prohibits over-the-counter sexual assault evidence kits.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
prohibits selling or providing an over-the-counter sexual assault evidence kit; and imposes a penalty for a violation.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0168

Year:

2021

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 05, 2021

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:

Sexual Assault is a serious offense and the sale of these kits would give false hope for any potential prosecution. Even cases with evidence that is collected in a professional manner is difficult to prosecute.

When a victim goes to a hospital to get evidence of rape collected they are treated with a presumption of belief by hospital staff and victims advocates.

Victims are also provided with other resources to deal with the emotional trauma of being raped, this would not be provided for those who purchase kits on the internet.

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; 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:

Equity in the form of equal justice, privileges, opportunities, and responsibilities in every phase of life for all children and youth, while recognizing that each child is unique with individual needs and talents.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

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 Position Statement - Child Safety and Protection: Protect children from violence.

HB0168 | School Bus Safety Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies the Traffic Code by requiring a new school bus purchased after June 30, 2020, to be equipped with seatbelts.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0168

Year:

2019

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

This bill is an unfunded mandate and will require districts to fund the buses themselves at an exorbitant cost.

Impact on Children:

Research has concluded that high backed padded seats and seat belts together improve overall bus passenger safety by providing true compartmentalization in accidents, especially side impacts and rollovers, and the use of seat belts does not significantly increase evacuation time, and current seat belt buckle design coupled with education on evacuation helps ensure that no child of school age will be trapped in a bus by their seat belt; and use of seat belts on school buses will reinforce the important safety habit of buckling up, and Students who are properly belted in are less distracting to the school bus driver, and a strong seat belt use policy will significantly reduce fatal actions such as putting one's head or arm out of a school bus window, or falling out of a school bus door, by school bus passengers.

Commission:

Education

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That the National PTA shall support legislation or regulation requiring any new bus purchased for the purpose of transporting school children to be equipped with seat belts, and further be it

Resolved, That National PTA shall encourage all school districts to implement strong seat belt use, education, and enforcement policies.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

National PTA Resolution Seat Belt in New School Buses

Links

National PTA Resolution on Seat Belts in New School Buses

HB0172 | Food Sales Tax Modifications

Description

General Description:

This bill reduces the tax imposed on amounts paid or charged for certain food.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
12          ▸     removes the state sales and use tax from amounts paid or charged for food and food
13     ingredients;
14          ▸     excludes candy from the definition of food and food ingredients;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0172

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

Impact on Children:

Removing the state sales tax is one way we can help children and families in Utah afford good nutrition. The relief is immediate instead of waiting for a tax refund. It is a policy changed supported by Utahns Against Hunger.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

The Utah PTA Purposes

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

To raise the standards of home life.

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation:
Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

HEA 2022-4 | PROPOSED Child Nutrition and Food Insecurity Resolution
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;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

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.

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Description

General Description:

Highlighted Provisions:

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

Bill Details

Bill Number:

https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/HB0173.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:

Making local school board decisions subject to referendum will increase uncertainty in board decisions and will cost LEAs more money by raising rates for loans. Will also make it difficult for them to enter into contracts and make other financial decisions.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

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;

HB0174 | Psychiatry Medical Residents Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill requires the University of Utah Health Sciences to select additional psychiatry residents.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0174

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 28, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Impact on Children:

Bill is to provide more psychiatrists as we have a shortage of mental health professionals.

Commission:

Health

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That National PTA and its constituent associations strongly encourage efforts to establish comprehensive community mental health providers to offer preventative and treatment services to children and adults and comprehensive school mental health programs that include adequate access to school psychologists, school counselors and school social workers;

Links

National PTA Resolution on Mental Health Programs and Services

HB0175S02 | Education Accountability Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill provides that for the 2018-2019 school year, the State Board of Education is not required to assign to each school an overall rating using an A through F letter grading scale.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0175S02

Year:

2020

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 12, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2014-1 | Public School Accountability

Impact on Children:

Establishes a statewide accountability system that does not use letter grade but focuses on other metrics.

Perceptions of school quality may impact the hiring and retention of quality educators and support staff.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2014-1 Public School Accountability
Resolved, That Utah PTA support systems of accountability for public schools that take into account qualitative characteristics, including a welcoming environment, family engagement efforts, administrative leadership, and community collaboration; in addition to quantitative measurements, such as educator qualifications, student absenteeism, average student tested proficiency and student academic growth; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA advocates against the implementation of any accountability system that reduces the evaluation of a school to a single grade or score, that ranks schools beyond statistical confidence, and that grades on a bell curve;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

3 - Support accountability for all public schools that take into account the needs of students, teachers, and communities.

Links

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2014-1 Public School Accountability

HB0175S03 | School Fees Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends and enacts provisions related to elementary and secondary school fees.

Highlighted Provisions:

1          This bill:
12          ▸     amends definitions;
13          ▸     prescribes the fees a local education agency (LEA) may charge a secondary school
14     student for a curricular or a co-curricular activity for a certain duration;
15          ▸     authorizes an LEA to charge a secondary school student a fee for an extracurricular
16     activity for a certain duration;
17          ▸     prohibits an LEA from charging a general fee;
18          ▸     amends provisions related to fees for textbooks;
19          ▸     prohibits charging a student in grade 6 a fee for a remediation program; and
20          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0175S03

Year:

2023

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 03, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$35,000,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2024: to State Board of Education -- Minimum School Program -- Related to Basic School Programs, as a one-time appropriation: from Uniform School Fund, One-time, $35,000,000.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose w/ Comment

This bill allocates $35 million to LEAs to finance the missing fees, however that funding is insufficient and if the funding is not appropriated will lead to an unfunded mandate.

Impact on Children:

The Utah constitution stipulates that “public elementary and secondary schools shall be free”. Eliminating school fees for families would relieve a significant burden for many families, however, if funding is inadequate or not provided, than students do not have a quality learning experience and LEAs must make up the difference taking funding from other important areas.

According to the census bureau annual public school Spending Per Pupil review, Utah consistently ranks in the bottom three in expenditures per student.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority; and, be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries, technology, programs, supplies, and evidenced-based practices that have an impact on student achievement;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation:

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

1. EDUCATION FUNDING. Support an adequately funded public school system by: supporting a 6.5% WPU increase over and above growth and inflation to be used for purposes such as recruiting, supporting, and retaining teachers; supporting increased access to full-day kindergarten by funding K-12 students at a full WPU; and supporting policies to increase proficiency levels in public schools, improving attendance, and increase academic excellence for all Utah students.

HB0177S04 | Health Education Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to health education.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
▸ requires the State Board of Education (state board) to establish curriculum
requirements that include instruction in:
• consent, including what does not constitute consent;
• sexual violence behavior prevention; and
• sexual assault resource strategies;
▸ amends provisions related to when a student receives health education instruction;
▸ requires a local education agency (LEA) to review data on sexual assault for each
county in which the LEA is located;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0177S04

Year:

2021

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 05, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

While Utah PTA supports the concepts to be taught as proposed in this legislation, we are concerned about the conflict between the use of the word "consent" as defined in the bill and the legal definition of "consent." Legally, no minor can give "consent" to sexual activity with another person.

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2000-3 | Sex Education in Public Schools (retired)

HEA 2010-1 | Home & Community Influence on Early Sexual Involvement (retired)

HEA 2010-2 | Additional School Strategies to Address Teen Sexual Involvement (retired)

Impact on Children:

This bill will add into our sexual education curriculum instruction that will empower students to gain knowledge and strategies to avoid and mitigate unwanted sexual advances.

When children are taught about consent, coercion; sexual violence behavior deterrence; and sexual assault mitigation they are better equipped to keep themselves safe and from experiencing sexually violent behavior. It would give them tools to express their limits and that they deserve to be treated in a respectful way.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA seek and promote state curriculum objectives which teach behavioral strategies to help students remain abstinent or resume abstinence until marriage

Resolved, That Utah PTA educate its membership about current statistics, trends, and protective and risk factors of early sexual involvement;

Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage state and local public campaigns to create a social expectation of premarital abstinence; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage our state and national legislators to support funding of programs that provide resources for parents to assume their role as primary sex educators of their children;

Resolved, That Utah PTA support varied counseling approaches outside of school course work, with parental permission, for those students who need additional sustained support to delay sexual involvement or return to sexual abstinence;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

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,

HB0178 | Noncitizen Health Insurance Policies Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions relating to health insurance for certain noncitizens.

Highlighted Provisions:

Removes alternative eligibility for otherwise ineligible children under the Children's Health Insurance Program, such as "qualified non-citizens"

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0178

Year:

2025

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 07, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose w/ Comment

The Utah PTA opposes HB0178 due to concerns about continuity of care and increased costs to local hospitals. Removing CHIP eligibility alternatives may force more families to rely on emergency rooms, increasing uncompensated care costs. This bill will strain hospital resources, raise costs for taxpayers and insured families. Utah PTA supports consistent access to primary care to all Utah children as it leads to more cost-effective and better health outcomes.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

Position Statement: Right and Services for Undocumented Children

Federal, state, and local entities have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of children by offering health care and other social services needed in their areas. Denying these services to children, regardless of their citizenship status, an endanger communities and create serious health and social concerns.

HB0179S02 | Founders and Constitution Recognition

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the recognition of the country's founders and the United States Constitution.

Highlighted Provisions:

Designates the month of September as American Founders Month and sets aside Sept 17th as Constitution Day

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0179S02

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 13, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

IND 2022-1 | Character Development Through Civics Education

Impact on Children:

This bill would create a day for all school children to read directly from the constitution and participate in a civics education lesson about constitutional principals.

Commission:

Individual Development

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations promote character development through civic education and the development of civic disposition by encouraging families to provide opportunities for students to discuss current events and civic issues in their home, participate in service and community outreach projects, and to engage civilly and respectfully in the community

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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.

HB0180S02 | Child Welfare Placement Review Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions of the Utah Juvenile Code related to the termination of parental rights.

Highlighted Provisions:

addresses the analysis a juvenile court undertakes when evaluating whether to
terminate parental rights

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0180S02

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

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-2 | Child Abuse and Neglect

Impact on Children:

addresses the analysis a juvenile court undertakes when evaluating whether to
terminate parental rights

Commission:

Community Engagement

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

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

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

HB0182 | Interventions for Reading Difficulties Program Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill repeals the Interventions for Reading Difficulties Program.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill repeals the Interventions for Reading Difficulties Program. repeals a sunset date that the repeal renders obsolete; and makes technical and conforming changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0182

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:

EDU 2022-2 | High Expectations for Student with Disabilities

Impact on Children:

SB 127 Early Literacy Outcomes Improvement passed 2022 is a more comprehensive approach to reading and makes HB 182 redundant.

Commission:

Special Needs Specialist

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support schools in implementing best practices in meeting the needs of diverse students . . .

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Description

General Description:

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill requires an LEA to update policies to require parental consent for any non-academic survey given to a student; to obtain parental consent annually in writing; to obtain new parental consent from parents of a transferring student; and makes technical changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/HB0182.html

Year:

2024

Status:

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2019-1 | Prevention & Promotion of Health Behaviors

Impact on Children:

Bill would make it more difficult for schools to have students fill out a survey

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, Utah PTA and its constituent associations will continue to support methods to gather information (such as the SHARP survey) that will assist in monitoring, anticipating and predicting youth behaviors

HB0182 | Interventions for Reading Difficulties Program Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill repeals the Interventions for Reading Difficulties Program.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
13 ▸ repeals the Interventions for Reading Difficulties Program;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0182

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:

EDU 2019-2 | Support for Quality Literacy Education

Impact on Children:

During the 2022 Legislative Session, SB 127 Early Literacy Outcomes Improvement passed. This bill lead to significant investments in early literacy including reading coaches, professional development, and providing books for families. This new initiative has replaced the Interventions for Reading Difficulties Program. This bill repeals the earlier program.

Commission:

Education

Special Needs Specialist

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support teacher development programs that prepare teachers with a firm understanding of how young students develop literacy skills, along with proven strategies to ensure reading proficiency and engage families as partners; and be it further

Resolved,That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the Governor and the State Legislature to continue funding early literacy efforts in Utah and making literacy a priority for all Utah students.

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Description

General Description:

Highlighted Provisions:

Reduces the income tax rate from 4.65% to 4.55%

Bill Details

Bill Number:

https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/HB0183.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:

Further reductions in the income tax rate harm our public schools. There are many unmet needs that could be met with the additional funding.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority

HB0184 | Teacher Professional Development Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends a notice requirement for a reallocation of instructional hours or school days for teacher preparation time or teacher professional development.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
13          ▸     amends a notice requirement for a reallocation of instructional hours or school days
14     for teacher preparation time or teacher professional development; and
15          ▸     makes technical changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0184

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Feb 22, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Impact on Children:

Children do not benefit from understaffed schools, missing teachers and no substitutes. This bill will give space for educators to reorganize curriculum and return to teaching within a maximum of 32 working hours

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved: That Utah PTA and its constituent associations engage principals and teacher as partners with the PTA to develop relationships, increase capacity within the schools, and improve communities

HB0185 | Public Education Enrollment Options Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses public education enrollment options.

Highlighted Provisions:

This Bill:
▸ allows a local education agency to provide a home-centered, school-supported enrollment option allowing students to complete a portion of the students' course
work from home; prohibits home school students from participating in a home-centered, school-supported enrollment option;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0185

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 13, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Impact on Children:

This bill allows students enrolled in an LEA to complete part of their course work at home and the rest of theoir course work at the school. Enrolled students are still subject to the same testing and standards at traditionally enrolled students. The LEA's funding for these students remains the same. Homeschool students are not eligible.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

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

HB0185 | Tax Restructuring Revisions - Repeal

Description

General Description:

This bill repeals S.B. 2001, Chapter 1, Laws of Utah 2019, Second Special Session.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0185

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2010-2 | Education Funding (retired)

Impact on Children:

This bill repeals SB2001 Tax Restructuring Revisions. Utah PTA opposed the original bill because it reduced the income tax fund without addressing education funding. It also increased the sales tax on food and gas which hurts families that do not qualify for the rebates and tax credits.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA Resolution 2010-2 Education Funding
Resolved, That Utah PTA continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority; and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries, technology, textbooks and supplies; and be it further
Resolved, 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.

The Utah PTA Legislative Policy
PTA efforts “to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth” are based upon:
4. The realization that maintaining a free and public education system is a cornerstone of democracy—that the Utah Public Education System is created in the state Constitution to “secure and perpetuate” freedom.

Utah PTA 2019-2020 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

Continue to Increase Investments in Education Through a Regular Appropriations Process
National PTA urges Congress to raise the discretionary spending caps and build on its recent investments in public education. A

Links

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

HB0188S01 | T.h. Bell Program Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to the Terrel H. Bell Teaching Incentive Loans Program.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0188S01

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 22, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Impact on Children:

Research shows that teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor in student achievement. This Bill will help to incentivize students to work in public education in Utah.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA advocate for policies that strengthen respect and support for public education and the teaching profession; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA support high standards for teacher preparation, licensing, hiring, recertification, professional development, particularly for beginning teachers, and ongoing training as curriculum changes, in order to promote the academic achievement of all students; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA support adequate funding for and encourage consideration of financial incentives to recruit and retain highly qualified and effective educators, including appropriation of adequate funding to upgrade salary schedules.

HB0189 | Public Education Course Grade Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill prohibits a local education agency (LEA) from requiring student attendance at an off-campus event.

Highlighted Provisions:

Prohibits LEAs from requiring participation in an off-campus event as part of a grade.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0189

Year:

2025

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 07, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Local Issue

Impact on Children:

Requirements for course grades should not be set by the legislature. This is a decision that should be made by the teacher in the classroom, or possibly at the LEA level.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

EDUCATION. Support an adequately funded public school system by funding a 3% Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) increase over and above growth and inflation; implement policies to increase proficiency levels by improving attendance, reducing class sizes, and supporting teachers; increase academic excellence for all Utah students; and prioritize local control to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and individual schools.

Legislative Bills

Primary tabs