Legislative Bills

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HB0307S01 | Firearm Data Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill concerns law enforcement data collection and reporting concerning firearms.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill establishes law enforcement agency reporting requirements concerning: lost or stolen firearms that are used in a crime; and the disposition of firearms in the custody of a law enforcement agency; requires the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (commission) to receive, compile, and publish law enforcement agency data concerning firearms;

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 01, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 32
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

The bill introduces reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies regarding lost or stolen firearms used in crimes and the handling of firearms in their custody. Additionally, it mandates the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to collect, organize, and publish data from law enforcement agencies related to firearms. This data will be a valuable resource to enact laws for the protection of children against gun violence.

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

National PTA Resolution Sale, Resale, and Destruction of Firearms

Resolved, That the National PTA seek and support legislation and appropriations to research the causes and effects of gun violence; and be it further
Resolved, That the National PTA urges constituent associations to seek and support legislation to research the causes and effects of gun violence; and be it further
 

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

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

HB0308S03 | Driving by Minors Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies who may supervise a minor with a learner permit.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill allows an individual with a learner permit who is younger than 18 years old to drive with an adult other than a parent, in certain circumstances.

Bill Details
Year: 
2025
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 25, 2025
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 10
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

The law enhances safety by requiring young drivers to have supervised practice, reducing accidents. It fosters skill development, encourages parental involvement in driving education, and provides flexibility for minors without licensed parents to gain experience

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

National PTA Teen Driving Safety

Resolved, That PTA and its constituent organizations promote educating parents, students, school personnel and communities regarding the risks associated with teen driving, the legal requirements of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws, and the crucial role of parents in helping teens become safe drivers;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

National PTA Resolution on Teen Driving Safety

Resolved, That PTA and its constituent organizations promote educating parents, students, school personnel and communities regarding the risks associated with teen driving, the legal requirements of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws, and the crucial role of parents in helping teens become safe drivers;

Resolved, That PTA work with parents, students, and community partners to urge local, state and national leaders to support research and adopt policies and legislation to reduce traffic incidents involving teen drivers and their passengers;

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
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 65
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
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
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 38
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
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: 
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. 

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
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 23, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 44
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
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.