Legislative Bills

HB0308S01 | School Grading Modifications

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to school overall ratings under the school accountability system.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill removes the school grading (A to F) but keeps the qualification associated with the school grading (exemplary, commendable, typical, developing & critical needs)

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0308S01

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 2014-1 | Public School Accountability

Impact on Children:

To the extent that the school grading affects the school enrollment, school staffing, and school resources.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

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

HB0311 | Controlled Substance Enhancement Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill increases the penalty for a person convicted of engaging in a criminal enterprise.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0311

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

This bill increases the penalty for a person convicted of engaging in a criminal enterprise that uses minors in furtherance of the enterprise.

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2007-1 | Substance Abuse

Impact on Children:

Substance abuse can destroy the lives of individuals and their families and friends, and is a major contributor to the breakdown of communities and society in general;

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA supports legislative action that institutes or appropriately increases criminal penalties for individuals or organizations promoting substance abuse of any kind (including the sale or distribution of alcohol and/or tobacco to underage persons)

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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:

4. Support safe practices and environments for all children.

6. Support measures to instill proven and effective prevention methods to promote healthy behaviors in children to be able to overcome the ills of society including suicide, tobacco use, vaping, underage drinking, drug abuse, sexual exploitation, bullying, and any form of addiction that is harmful to our children’s well-being

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

Substance and alcohol abuse affects many areas of the brain and can cause adverse behavioral, psychological, and social consequences; and over the counter sale of dangerous substances make them readily available to our youth;

That the National PTA and its constituent organizations increase public awareness regarding the methods, symptoms, effects and dangers of substance and alcohol abuse to our children and youth.

Links

SUBSTANCE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION

HB0311S03 | Social Media Usage Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill regulates social media companies and the use and design of social media platforms.

Highlighted Provisions:

12          This bill:
13          ▸     defines terms;
14          ▸     enacts the Utah Social Media Regulation Act;
15          ▸     provides that a contract entered into by a minor by means of an interactive computer
16     service is invalid unless the minor's parent or legal guardian consents to the
17     contract;
18          ▸     prohibits a social media company from using a design or feature that the company
19     knows causes a minor to have an addiction to a social media platform;
20          ▸     grants the Division of Consumer Protection enforcement and auditing authority to
21     enforce requirements under the act;
22          ▸     authorizes a private right of action to collect attorney fees and damages from a
23     social media company for harm incurred by a minor's use of the company's social
24     media platform;
25          ▸     creates a rebuttable presumption that harm and causation occurred in some

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0311S03

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 23, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2023-2 | Digital Citizenship and Wellness

Impact on Children:

The purpose is to keep children safe online and in social media. Research shows that the logarithms of social media companies are harmful and can be addictive by causing dopamine dumps in the adolescent brain. Also, children can be exposed to pornography and other harmful material on social media. The U.S. Surgeon General says 13 is 'too early' to join social media because they are still "developing their identity." Also in the journal "The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, found that social media may harm girls' mental health by increasing their exposure to bullying and reducing their sleep and physical exercise.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for laws, policies, and technology development which protects children and youth from surveillance capitalism, persuasive technology, and logarithms which encourage addictive usage of social media, and be it further

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

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.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

From National PTA Resolution: Increase awareness of the impact of social media, television, video games, music and movie violence on the children of this nation and encourage development of programs to assist families and children in using critical viewing skills.

HB0315 | Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill makes changes to the Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program.

Highlighted Provisions:

"14 ▸clarifies that special education teachers are eligible for the Effective Teachers in
15 High Poverty Schools Incentive Program (incentive program);
16 ▸ makes kindergarten teachers eligible for the incentive program;
17 ▸adds a second method for teachers in grades 1 through 3 to be eligible for the
18 incentive program;"

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0315

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 23, 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

EDU 2019-1 | Best Practices in Education

Impact on Children:

Children benefit from high quality teachers starting in kindergarten. This bill helps to bring quality teachers into high poverty schools.

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.

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;

HB0315S01 | Recreational Therapy Medicaid Coverage Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts provisions relating to recreational therapy coverage under Medicaid.

Highlighted Provisions:

Allows Medicaid reimbursement for recreational therapy for those enrolled in Medicaid, and has been referred to recreational therapy by a physician.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0315S01

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 15, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2020-1 | Emotional/Mental Health and Well-Being

Impact on Children:

Recreational Therapy can be used for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of an individual, including children.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA advocate for funding and legislation for integrated home and classroom intervention programs; continued research and clinical trials of treatment medications to support children and youth;and support insurance parity for mental illness;and be it further

Legislative Bills

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