Legislative Bills

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HB0056 | Intergenerational Poverty Mitigation Act Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends the Intergenerational Poverty Mitigation Act.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill amends the Intergenerational Poverty Mitigation Act. It amends the membership of the Utah Intergenerational Welfare Reform Commission; and amends the membership of the Intergenerational Poverty Advisory Committee.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 16, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 30
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

The Committee and Commissions created make recommendations on how the commission and the state can effectively address the needs of children affected by intergenerational poverty.

Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA support programs that help mentoring families, including those that
focus on the individual or family for a significant amount of time, teaching
parenting skills, promoting continuing education, encouraging good health care for
themselves and their children, and helping children succeed in school.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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.

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.

HB0058S03 | Electronic Cigarettes in Schools Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses student use of alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarette products, and other substances through education and prevention programs and discipline policies.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 28, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$5,084,200
This bill appropriates: to State Board of Education - State Administrative Office: from the Education Fund, $5,084,200.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending

We support these bills, but we expect changes to continue to be made on all e cigarette and vaping legislation. With these changes, Utah PTA hopes for, and would support, the following three priorities when considering any amendments or substitutes.
1) It decrease access and usage by our youth.
2) It increases enforcement capabilities.
3) It closes loopholes, i.e., grandfather clauses, allowing mint/menthol flavors, etc.

Impact on Children: 

This Bill allows school officials to confiscate  e-cigarettes within the school. This will provide a consequence for student's actions. 

This bill also provides for $3000 per school for positive behavior training to help students to focus on things to do, instead of what not to do.

Commission: 
Student Leadership
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

HEA 2015-2 Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth
Resolved, That Utah PTA support the position that any revenue generated through taxation of ENDS should support tobacco cessation and prevention programs; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Utah PTA work in collaboration with state and local health departments, school boards, school districts, and other agencies to educate youth, parents, communities, and local elected officials on the dangers of ENDS products;

HEA 2019-1 Prevention & Promotion of Health Behaviors
Resolved, Utah PTA and its constituent associations will support evidence based programs to decrease risk factors and increase protective factors in our homes, schools and communities; and be it further Resolved, Utah PTA and its constituent associations will support legislation and measures that will promote healthy behaviors with our youth including family based training, community prevention coalitions, etc;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

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.

HB0060S02 | Juvenile Justice Modifications

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to juvenile justice.

Highlighted Provisions: 

▸ addresses the use of juvenile delinquency records by public and private employers;
▸ amends provisions regarding the inspection of juvenile court records;
▸ requires the State Board of Education to include information about dangerous
weapons in an annual report on school discipline and law enforcement action;
▸ requires the State Board of Education to provide a report on school discipline and
law enforcement action to the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice;
▸ modifies a reporting requirement regarding a dangerous weapon on school grounds;
▸ requires the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to provide a report
to the Judiciary Interim Committee regarding minors in possession of dangerous
weapons on school grounds;
▸ amends provisions regarding a petition for expungement of a juvenile court record
with an adjudication, including the notice and hearing requirements for the petition;
 

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 38
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
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 updating language to current vernacular, requires reports from USBE and the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice about school violence and law enforcement, and clarifies expungement of juvenile records.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage the State of Utah Division of Family Services and Division of Youth Corrections to establish a coordination and communication network among placing agencies and workers;

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.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Encourage schools to use positive behavioral interventions and supports that are effective, fair and consistently implemented. Such practices may include restorative justice and trauma-informed care.

HB0061S04 | School Safety Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses school safety and security issues.

Highlighted Provisions: 

▸ creates the School Security Task Force;
▸ requires the task force to develop the qualifications, duties, and scope of authority
of the state security chief;
▸ requires that all secondary schools have a school resource officer

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 7
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$78,943,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2024: to the State Board of Education - Contracted Initiatives and Grants, as a one-time appropriation: from the Income Tax Fund, One-Time, $75,000,000; to the State Board of Education - Policy, Communication, & Oversight: from the Income Tax Fund, $3,660,000; and to the Department of Public Safety - Programs and Operations: from the General Fund, $283,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending

Utah PTA supports the creation of a School Security Task Force; however, we would request that a parent representative be added to the committee makeup.

Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This bill would make schools safer by creating a School Security Task Force.

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

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage all efforts to address school safety to involve all stakeholders, especially students, parents, and families, and consider a variety of factors including the physical and psychological safety of students;

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage investment from Federal, State and local decisionmakers for the necessary physical and psychological student supports and services, including locally determined physical safety measures, appropriate resources for health and wellness services, research-based online safety programs, qualified school-based health and wellness practitioners, training on trauma-informed practices, and optional mental health screenings for all students,

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

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.

HB0063S03 | Criminal Justice and Mental Health Coordination Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses situations where an individual experiencing a mental health crisis may interact with the criminal justice system.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Criminal Justice and Mental Health Coordination Amendments Establishes a Crisis Response Task Force. Outlines responsibilities of local mental health authorities. Sets provisions for emergency conservatorship for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

Bill Details
Year: 
2025
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 07, 2025
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 22
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Provides access to local mental health services and programs for minors within the framework of the local mental health authorities

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

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for programs, policies, and legislation which provide adequate training and resources for recognizing and helping children with emotional and behavioral problems and improving the training of primary care physicians in mental illness assessment and treatment;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Support legislative action that focuses on the diverse mental health needs of Utah’s students and families, with a focus on promoting protective factors. This includes increasing public knowledge and understanding of mental health concerns throughout the state, access to resources, as well as providing funding for proactive prevention, timely interventions, and community-based initiatives utilizing evidence-based methods.