Legislative Bills

Primary tabs

SB0102S03 | Wireless Communication Device Use in a Motor Vehicle

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill amends provisions related to the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.
 

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2022
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 25
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

The changes would increase the ability to enforce the law by not allowing using a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle and thereby making Utah roads safer for all.
 

Commission: 
Safety
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

National PTA Resolution on Distracted Driving Resolved, That PTA and its constituent associations support the adoption and enforcement of laws that restrict the manipulation of handheld and portable communication devices while driving;

SB0103S04 | Victim Targeting Penalty Enhancements

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts provisions relating to sentencing for a criminal offense committed against a victim who is selected because of certain personal attributes.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Apr 02, 2019
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 12
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Commission: 
Community Engagement
Safety
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, age, physical and academic ability, and sexual orientation;

SB0103S02 | Student Graduation Attire Modifications

Description
General Description: 

This bill allows individuals to wear cultural attire during graduation ceremonies.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Students may wear recognized cultural & religious attire during graduation.
HB 149 & SB 103 include rules on how an LEA can determine if something is "recognized."
SB 103 also includes a line referencing that it includes not limiting the right for students to wear tribal regalia, which is what was included in HB 30 in 2022.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Democrat - District 12
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Allows graduating students to honor their family and culture during high school graduation.

Commission: 
Student Leadership

SB0103 | Special Education Licensing Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill makes changes to licensing requirements for directors of special education at charter schools.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill makes changes to licensing requirements for directors of special education at charter schools. This bill requires a director of special education at a charter school to hold an appropriate license issued by the State Board of Education.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 23, 2022
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 24
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Charter school students who receive special education services and their families will greatly benefit by having a Special Education director who is appropriately trained and licensed in this field.

Commission: 
Education
Special Needs Specialist
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its organizations support education policies and legislation that will improve advocacy and parental education within the public school system to benefit children with special needs.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation:
High standards for those who work in all areas concerned with children and youth.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Support expedited state special education funding to support and implement IEPs for public school students with disabilities.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

PTA believes that all children have the right to a quality public education, which allows each child the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

PTA firmly believes that all students—including students from historically marginalized populations—have the right to a quality, equitable education in a safe, supportive and inclusive school.

SB0104S04 | Children's Device Protection Act

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts the Children's Device Protection Act.

Highlighted Provisions: 

▸ Requires a tablet or a smartphone (a device) manufactured on or after January 1, 2025, to automatically enable a filter upon device activation by a minor;

▸ Requires the filter enabled for minors at activation to: prevent a minor user of the device from accessing material that is obscene; and

▸ Allows adult users and parents or legal guardians to deactivate and re-activate the filter with a password;

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2024
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 8
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Social media has many negative aspects of it pertains to children and their use of it. We need to have parents be more involved and accountable for what their children are participating in on these platforms. Filters and their use are a part of this accountabilty. We need to support digital safety measures for our children and protect them from harmful content on social media platforms.

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

Utah PTA and its constituent associations help educate parents on the importance of monitoring their youth and teens’ digital behavior and activity online and help parents find appropriate resources such as, but not limited to, training on digital wellness, existing phone manufacturer filters, other filters and other technological tools to help limit exposure to potentially harmful content.