Legislative Bills

SB0177 | Absenteeism Prevention Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill allows a school age child's grade to include attendance under certain circumstances.

Highlighted Provisions:

Allows a school age child's grade to include attendance under certain circumstances;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0177

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:

EDU 2023-2 | Chronic Absenteeism

Impact on Children:

Studies indicate that chronic absenteeism, whether excused or unexcused, is a proven predictor of lower academic performance, study skills and habits, and higher dropout rates; chronic absenteeism also tends to predict significant adverse consequences in students’ lives, from the inability to reach early learning milestones to poorer outcomes later in life and lower overall wellbeing

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations urge the Utah legislature to appropriate sufficientfundingforthecollectionanddetailedanalysisofdataonchronicabsenteeism;for thecreation,implementationandrolloutofprogramsforchronicallyabsentstudents;andfor information campaigns to parents and students

SB0177S02 | Child Welfare Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to child safety and welfare.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill (Sub 1): ▸amends definitions for the Juvenile Code; ▸amends provisions regarding the time and circumstances under which a person may seek review of certain child abuse or neglect findings; ▸addresses the evidence that a juvenile court shall hear at a shelter hearing; ▸addresses what a juvenile court considers when determining whether reunification services are appropriate;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0177S02

Year:

2025

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 26, 2025

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:

This bill enhances child safety by recording severe abuse findings to bar offenders from working with children and by ensuring that shelter hearings prioritize the child's voice and relevant evidence. It also favors temporary placements with relatives or friends to support the child.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

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

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship. To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social, emotional and physical learning and well-being

SB0178S01 | Devices in Public Schools

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging technologies during classroom hours.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill addresses the use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging technologies during the school day.
▸prohibits a student from using a cellphone, smart watch, or emerging technology during the school day;
▸allows a local education agency to create exemptions to the prohibition; and
▸permits the State Board of Education to create model policies

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0178S01

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 w/ Comment

Utah PTA supports the wellbeing and education of the children of Utah. Teachers and school administrators from across the state report on how cell phones have a detrimental effect on the learning and mental health of our students. We believe we should take action to protect our youth, but there should be some flexibility and local control by schools to address concerns of those with medical or educational needs.

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2023-2 | Digital Citizenship and Wellness

Impact on Children:

Devices in the public schools are causing problems for teachers, students and the learning environment. By prohibiting cell phones and other digital devices in the schools, distraction will decrease and teachers will be empowered for teaching in their classrooms.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for laws, policies, and technology development which protects children and youth from surveillance capitalism, persuasive technology, and algorithms which encourage addictive usage of social media

Assist schools, community councils, parents and students in learning safe and responsible digital wellness and citizen behaviors through trainings, consultation, and distribution of resources;

Work with legislators, state and local school boards, and school community councils to establish appropriate social media policies and discipline measures in regards to, but not limited to, cyberbullying, sexting, and hazing

SB0178 | Education Deadline and Fiscal Flexibility

Description

General Description:

This bill extends or provides flexibility regarding certain education deadlines and spending restrictions.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill allows a local education agency (LEA) to transfer a portion of state restricted funds
in the LEA's general fund to be used without the state restrictions under certain conditions; extends certain expenditure deadlines by one fiscal year; delays by one year a requirement that a student fee be equal to or less than the cost to the LEA of providing an activity, course, or program.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0178

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

Support

Impact on Children:

This bill gives funding flexibility to LEAs to meet some of the challenges brought about by the covid-19 pandemic. It also delays some deadlines giving LEAs more time to comply.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

PS STU 2021 Coronavirus Pandemic Impact on Student Learning
Resolved, that Utah PTA, parents, policy leaders and educators must communicate clearly and honestly about the challenges they are facing, and share the steps they are taking to support educators, students and families,

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Support education appropriations that support a 4% increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) and additional appropriations that support schools/districts with additional expenses incurred due to Covid 19.

SB0179 | Educator Salary Adjustments Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill adds the educator salary adjustments to the list of programs receiving a cost adjustment for inflation.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill adds the educator salary adjustments to the list of programs receiving a cost adjustment for inflation

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0179

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:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Impact on Children:

Educators salaries deserve to be indexed to inflation. This serves as a minimal tool for attraction and retention of educators.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

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

Legislative Bills

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