Legislative Bills

HB0292 | Children's Health Insurance Plan Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends the Utah Children's Health Insurance Act.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill adds treatment for autism spectrum disorder to the program benefits within the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0292

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 16, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2009-1 | Autism Spectrum Disorders

Impact on Children:

Passage of this bill will ensure that treatment of autism spectrum disorders for children who qualify for health insurance under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will be covered which increases support to especially vulnerable children and provides greater equity in services for all children.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA support efforts to ensure appropriate and equitable coverage by private health plans and insurers for the diagnosis and medically necessary treatment of individuals with autism and other disorders causing developmental delays

HB0295 | Educator License Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the licensing of educators by the State Board of Education.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill is designed to give a certified educator license to individual who has successfully completed a certified educator training program, allowing that individual to provide educational services in a public school after demonstrating that the individual meets licensure requirements established in state board rule.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0295

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

Oppose

Explanation: There are 33K teachers in the state. 30K hold a professional license; about 1,500 hold an associate license; Less than 1,500 hold a LEA specific license; and less than 500 hold no license at all.
The LEA license path would allow what Rep. Thurston highlights already
The performance of students is lower with lesser licensed teachers, leading to a student achievement problem.

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA support high standards for teacher preparation, licensing, hiring, recertification, professional development

HB0296 | Reading Disability Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions for benchmark assessments in reading.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill puts the definition of dyslexia back into Utah Code. It also amends provisions for benchmark assessments in reading.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0296

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 12, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2014-3 | Dyslexia and Other Specific Learning Disabilities

Impact on Children:

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, with approximately 1 in 10 people impacted by dyslexia. Having a definition in Utah Code gives legal standing to help kids and families get the help they need. This will also help support the parents in having a common language to use when working with schools.

Commission:

Education

Special Needs Specialist

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA advocate for early identification and interventions for students with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities in both general education and special education so that all children with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities can receive the appropriate interventions; and be it further

HB0298S03 | Homelessness Services Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies provisions related to the provision of homeless services.

Highlighted Provisions:

The amendment makes slight changes to who serves on the Homelessness Councils. It requires homelessness councils to establish goals to achieve functional zero level of homelessness (fewer or the same number of clients entering homelessness as are leaving homelessness). Finally, it lays out how/what data will be collected.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0298S03

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 18, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

COM 2018-1 | Homelessness and Transiency

Impact on Children:

In 2017, 35 percent of the homeless in Utah were families or children. Homelessness is devastating to the normal development and physical and mental health of a child. School communities with high rates of homeless students experience poor attendance rates, high dropout rates, lack of parent involvement and school contribution, lack of community cohesiveness, loss of consistency in educational impact and low predictability in school budget planning.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support educational guidelines and procedures that support students in homeless situations so that homelessness does not disrupt their right to a fair and free public education.

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.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Foster the development of full-service community schools, strengthen community partnerships and encourage the adoption of a whole-child approach that responds to the mental, physical, behavioral, developmental and academic needs of all students. Provide the foundation for all children to learn and thrive, including basic necessities like access to clean air, water and healthy nutrition in all communities.

HB0299S02 | Juvenile Justice Changes

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to juvenile justice.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill amends provisions related to juvenile justice.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0299S02

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 22, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

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. In this bill Juvenile Justice Services is aligning with child welfare for youth that age out of their system with limited parental support.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

Coordination and planning by all agencies with clear definition of responsibility at each level of government.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA CHILD SAFETY AND PROTECTION Position Statement
Encourage collaboration between law enforcement, the judicial system, and child welfare agencies.
Assist youth leaving the juvenile justice system, and prevent their return.

Legislative Bills

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