Legislative Bills

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SB0045 | Domestic Violence Revisions

Description
General Description: 

This bill adds aggravated cruelty to an animal to the list of offenses that may qualify as a domestic violence offense.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 27, 2019
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Further defines an area of domestic violence not addressed, in circumstances where children may me living or abiding.

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

That Utah PTA work to support stronger legislation that focuses on intervention for and prevention of domestic violence.

SB0047S01 | Placement of Minors Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies provisions related to placement of a minor.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 21, 2019
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 10
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

If a minor 14 years of age or older desires an opportunity to address the court or testify, the court shall give the minor's desires added weight, but may not treat the minor's desires as the single controlling factor in a post-adjudication hearing or other hearing described

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

That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to pass laws that will ensure that the best interests of the child be given primary emphasis in placement matters

SB0052 | Sex Offender Registry Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill allows for individuals on the Sex and Kidnap Offender Registry to enter restricted areas if accompanied by an adult.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill allows for individuals on the Sex and Kidnap Offender Registry to enter restricted areas if accompanied by an adult and changes the name of sex offender to registrant.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 04, 2022
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 14
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose
Impact on Children: 

Children should be safe in their community and should be protected from dangerous individuals. Children should be protected from sex offenders in public places where children congregate.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for adequate laws to protect children in all areas of child abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

The Utah PTA Purposes

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

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

SB0053 | Behavioral Emergency Services Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts requirements and provisions relating to behavioral emergency services technicians.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
▸ defines terms;
▸ creates a new license for behavioral emergency services technicians and advanced behavioral emergency services technicians;
▸ requires the Utah Department of Health to administer the license, including setting initial and ongoing licensure and training requirements;
▸ enacts provisions relating to the new license for behavioral emergency services technicians, including certain testimonial exceptions

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 16, 2021
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 12
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Families dealing with a mental health crisis do not necessarily need a policemen, EMT or a firefighter, they need a first responder who understands the unique circumstances of someone dealing with a mental health or other behavioral emergency. Paramedics are increasingly expected to respond to behavioral health crises but may not be adequately prepared to do so. This new license program will ensure that families with behavioral and mental health needs will get the emergency treatment they need.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA support prevention and intervention initiatives and appropriate state funding for:
(1) collaborative efforts between the home, school, private physicians, and community
resource agencies to create support networks for families,
(2) developing uniform methods for screening and referral,
(3) increasing the number of school psychologists and social workers, and
(4) improving training of primary care physicians in mental illness assessment and
treatment;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

5. Support measures to promote safe and healthy environments and behaviors for children to prevent suicide, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking,

SB0055S01 | Public School Instructional Material Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses requirements related to the approval of materials for classroom use and certain policies.

Highlighted Provisions: 

15 ▸ requires a process for a local school board or charter school governing board to
16 follow if the board chooses to adopt or approve instructional materials for
17 classroom use across the school district or charter school;
18 ▸ requires local school boards and charter school governing boards to adopt policies
19 to provide guidance to educators on the use of certain learning materials that have
20 not been adopted or approved under the open process;
21 ▸ requires that contracts for online or digital learning materials include a requirement
22 for notice if the provider changes the content of the materials

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 17
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Having transparency (via an open process) in instructional materials across the LEA with the parents is desirable. So is having a policy giving flexible guidance to educators on the selection of supplemental materials.

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

That Utah PTA advocate for policies that strengthen respect and support for public education and the teaching profession;