Legislative Bills

This bill allows students enrolled in an LEA to complete part of their course work at home and the rest of theoir course work at the school. Enrolled students are still subject to the same testing and standards at traditionally enrolled students. The LEA's funding for these students remains the same. Homeschool students are not eligible.

Research shows that teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor in student achievement. This Bill will help to incentivize students to work in public education in Utah.

Utah PTA is opposed to vouchers. Limiting the scope of the current voucher program is therefore a good idea. Public funds should not be used for things like ski passes and gear, which are a good example of items that would be prohibited by this legislation.

Utah PTA opposes any bill that would decrease the education fund and therefore funding for earmarked education. Utah has consistently ranked at the bottom of the per pupil spending as defined by the Census Bureau. Utah PTA believes that investing in Utah children will reap the best dividends for Utah and Utah economy. While Utah has done wonders with the comparatively low levels of funding dedicated to education, it has also come at a cost of overstretched teachers and large class sizes. Positively impacting these two will benefit Utah children.

This change will help Utah attract Student Teachers from other states, who will hopefully then be willing to stay in Utah once they have completed their schooling.

For nearly 30 years, National PTA has advocated for common-sense and comprehensive gun safety and violence prevention measures while preserving the lawful use of firearms for sport and personal protection.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) are recognized as the leading cause of mental retardation and behavioral dysfunction in children and are entirely preventable.  This bill will provide funding for one or more media and education campaigns designed to reduce the consumption of alcohol while pregnant which will help to prevent FAS/FAE in children. 

1. This bill would direct the Dept of Health to adopt policies to keep eligible children from unnecessarily losing Medicaid and going without insurance
2. It removes paperwork barriers in Medicaid and CHIP. Currently, if a child is on Medicaid, they can lose their coverage if their parent takes on an extra few hours at work one month- HB 210 would prevent this from happening.
3.When children are uninsured, it impacts all aspects of their life, for example they may be less likely to participate in physical activity programs or sports because parents are worried about an injury.
4. Utah has one of the highest rates of uninsured children in the nation.

HB212 actually makes some very minor changes to the much more impactful legislation passed a couple years ago, HB371 “Consent to Services for Homeless Youth.”

That legislation was in response to and involved much input from youth as well as service stakeholders about basic needs for youth in homelessness. It accomplished three purposes:

The bill resulted in youth, ages 15, 16, 17 being able to escape the streets and check themselves into a licensed facility without having to provide a parent’s signature. When we discussed the concern about admission to an adult shelter, we learned that youth are referred to a youth facility, not admitted at an adult facility, where all were concerned about the population they would meet.
The bill also removed the restriction for those who harbor minors, ages 15, 16, and 17. We haven’t emphasized this in the news media because we all recognize the possible “invitation” to predators to take advantage of homeless youth. The reality is that there are many, many young people staying with friends, relatives, and neighbors who have been subject to litigation for providing shelter. Under the new law, the person providing harbor is required to notify authorities – police, Child Protective Services, DCFS, etc. – within 48 hours of the youth’s coming to their home. We realize this doesn’t guarantee everything we want, but we know it has allowed much more safety than before for kids as well as those providing a place in their homes. As a teacher, I have heard regularly about “couch-surfing” that was illegal before HB371.
A third provision in HB371 was that it allowed these minors to receive services and resources that normally would have required parent signatures. Again, the intent is not to provide or encourage run-aways, etc., but for the 2000+ kids in homelessness every day in Utah, we know more are safer and getting services than before.

This year’s bill HB212 makes a couple adjustments after discussions about improving elements of safety. 
(Info from Rep Weight)

Good prenatal health care is important for the well-being of all infants. Passage of this bill will expand the eligibility for Medicaid for pregnant women with a household income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level, thus helping to ensure the necessary prenatal care.

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.

Required compensatory service encourage adults to become more mindful of school zone safety, fostering a culture that prioritizes children's well-being.

Students will benefit from credits earned in IB programs