Legislative Bills

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HB0110 | Alcohol Education Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies provisions related to the use and oversight of the Drinking While Pregnant Prevention Media and Education Campaign Restricted Account.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill requires the Utah Substance Use and Mental Health Advisory Council to approve and oversee any drinking while pregnant prevention media and education campaign

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 23, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 46
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) are recognized as the
leading cause of mental retardation and behavioral dysfunction in children and are
entirely preventable; it is time to re-emphasize the dangers of alcohol consumption to the unborn fetus of pregnant women.

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

HB0113S01 | Students with Disabilities Funding Revisions

Description
General Description: 

This bill makes changes to provisions related to funding for students with disabilities.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
▸ amends a formula related to add-on weighted pupil units for students with disabilities; and
▸ makes technical and conforming changes.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 23, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 61
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill amends the formula used to figure funding for students with disabilities.

Commission: 
Education
Special Needs Specialist
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA and its organizations continue to support the right of each student
with a disability to have access to an equal education via whatever means reasonable and necessary to specific disabilities, such as Individualized Education Programs (IEP’s) and 504 Accommodation Plans, which may include transportation, therapy, special services/equipment, reasonable accommodations and other supportive services the child requires to benefit from his/her educational program;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

2. Support expedited state special education funding to support and implement IEPs for public school students with disabilities.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

PTA Calls on Congress and the Administration to Increase Federal Investment in Public Education. The long-term success of our nation depends on quality federal investments in our education system. PTA has long advocated to ensure children have access to adequately funded public schools that improve their overall well-being and allow students to reach their fullest potential. The federal National PTA will work with the 117th Congress, the U.S. Department of Education and the Biden/Harris Administration to ensure that every child has access to a fair and equitable education.

Policies and legislation must:

 ✓ Fully fund the promised 40% of the extra cost for services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

HB0114S02 | School Nursing Services Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to school nursing services.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill defines "school nurse" and requires local education agencies (LEAs) to provide a minimum level of nursing services.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 23, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 32
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

Passage of this bill will require LEAs to provide one school nurse for every 2,000 students; LEAs with fewer than 2,000 students to the level of services recommended by the Department of Health.

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

The Utah PTA and its constituent associations support measures that will lower the ratio of
the current student to nurse ratio;

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations will work with the Utah Department of
Health, Utah State Board of Education, and the Utah School Nurse Association to
encourage schools and school districts to ensure school nurses are available to every school to help keep students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

HB0114S04 | Early Learning Training and Assessment Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill provides programs and assessments to improve early learning in literacy and mathematics.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 28, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 8
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$5,000,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2021: to the State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $3,935,000; and to the State Board of Education - MSP Categorical Program Administration, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $1,065,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

1. Teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor in student achievement.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2019-1 Best Practices in Education - Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations educate parents and community members to support practices which enhance teacher capacity.

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2019-1 Best Practices in Education - Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the State Legislature to prioritize education funding in the areas of teacher capacity.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Utah PTA Legislative Priority 2019-20 #7. Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social and emotional well being through affordable housing, homelessness initiatives, education, and parenting skills, and juvenile justice reforms.

HB0116 | Student Attendance Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses school absences for mental or physical illness.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill prohibits documentation from a medical professional for an absence due to mental or physical illness.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 16, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 63
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

The concept of parents being foremost responsible for their child's school attendance is good; nonetheless, parents can currently excuse a child's absence without a doctor's note.

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

That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies encourage parents and student to promote student attendance and address chronic absenteeism through incentive programs, awards, events, or awareness campaigns.