Legislative Bills

HB0372S01 | Digital Wellness, Citizenship, and Safe Technology Commission

Description

General Description:

This bill creates the Digital Wellness, Citizenship, and Safe Technology Commission to advance the goal of training every student in healthy behavior related to technology use.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0372S01

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 30, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2016-1 | Digital Citizenship

Impact on Children:

Social media has many benefits but when social media creates a substantial disruption to the child, there should be best practices and resources for training students in a healthy behavior related to technology.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations assist schools, community councils, parents and students in learning safe and responsible digital citizen behaviors through trainings, consultation, and distribution of resources.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

2. High standards for those who work in all areas concerned with children and youth.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

4. Support safe practices and environments for all children.

Links

Utah Public Policy

2019-20 Legislative Priorities

HB0372 | Start Smart Utah Breakfast Program Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill delays the dates by which certain public schools are required to serve breakfast to a student after the instructional day begins.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill delays the dates by which certain public schools are required to serve breakfast to a student after the instructional day begins. The new dates start effective 2021-2022 school year.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0372

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

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2017-1 | Nutrition and Exercise

Impact on Children:

According to the Food Research & Action Center, research shows that a "well-nourished child who starts the day with breakfast is more likely to be at school, a better learner, and willing to participate in the classroom." This bill requires that a school who participates in the National School Lunch Program shall also participate in the School Breakfast Program and outlines a schedule for when schools will be required to use an alternative breakfast service style if needed.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations promote school breakfast and lunch programs, physical activity in academic classes, recess for elementary school students, and physical education for all students.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social and emotional learning and well-being including, but not limited to: positive behavior programs and classes including art, music, physical education, civic engagement, and character development; early childhood education, parenting skills, and juvenile justice reforms.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA must be engaged in ongoing policy-making decisions to expand equitable access to school meals, including programs that increase meal availability and allow our voice to be raised to speak on behalf of meal availability for all students.

HB0373S03 | Student Support Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to student support and health services.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0373S03

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 28, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$38,270,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2020: to the State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs - Student Health and Counseling Support Program, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $26,000,000; to the State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs - Student Health and Counseling Support Program, as a one-time appropriation: from the Education Fund, One-time, ($10,000,000); to the Department of Human Services - Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health - Community Mental Health Services, as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, ($500,000); and to the University of Utah - SafeUT Crisis Text and Tip Line - SafeUT Operations, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $1,770,000.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2017-2 | Support for Counselors, Psychologists, and Social Workers in Schools

Impact on Children:

This bill will increase the number of school-based mental health support personnel in our schools. Many professionals within a school help to support student's positive mental health including social workers, school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, and other specialized instructional support personnel. These personnel understand that students unmet mental health needs can be a significant obstacle to student academic, career, and social/emotional development and can even compromise school safety

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations actively advocate for increased funding for additional trained counselors, psychologists, and social workers to assist and educate families and youth in both elementary and secondary schools participating in the public school system.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OF CHILDREN
Improve access and funding for qualified, school-based health and wellness practitioners

HB0374 | Modifications to Education Funding

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions regarding public education funding.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0374

Year:

2019

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2010-2 | Education Funding (retired)

Impact on Children:

A change in tax structure during the 2018 Legislative Session tied a property tax increase to the Weighted Pupil Unit. This Bill creates a limit of 3% on the property tax increase even if the WPU is increased at a greater percentage. The property tax increase was a way of providing new revenue for education and this bill would limit the new money available for schools.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries, technology, textbooks and supplies;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

ADEQUATELY FUND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGH A REGULAR
APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS

HB0374S05 | Sensitive Materials in Schools

Description

General Description:

This bill prohibits certain sensitive instructional materials in public schools.

Highlighted Provisions:

12▸defines certain instructional materials as sensitive materials;
13▸prohibits sensitive materials in a public school;
14▸grants parents the right to file a civil action to enforce certain provisions;
15▸defines terms

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0374S05

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support w/ Comment

Utah PTA unequivocally opposes pornography in general and pornography in schools in particular. Utah PTA also recognizes the need for students to see themselves in literature and art and the importance of having books for each student. Therefore, book removals should be laser focused on pornography and avoid silencing minority voices.

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2021-2 | Mass Media (retired)

SAF 2016-3 | Impact of Pornography on Youth

Impact on Children:

Fostering children's curiosity and appetite for learning is essential to make their potential a reality. However, children need to be protected from harm, including harm caused accessing materials beyond their maturity. We urge all LEAs to adopt policies to adopt, review, and remove instructional materials as well as media materials.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

MASS MEDIA - That Utah PTA and its constituent associations actively seek the vigorous enforcement of current obscenity laws, laws precluding the use of children in pornography and the prohibiting the distribution of pornographic materials to children; additionally we firmly oppose the exploitation and/or use of children in suggestive and seductive screen content.

IMPACT OF PORNOGRAPHY: Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations work with policy makers in government, nongovernment, school and community organizations to raise awareness of the effects of prolonged and increased exposure to sexually explicit materials.

Legislative Bills

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