Legislative Bills

HB0284S01 | Public Library Background Check Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill provides for criminal background checks of public library employees.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill provides for criminal background checks of public library employees. It would require current and prospective employees of the public library in any employment
position that involves significant contact with minors to submit to a criminal background check as a condition of employment;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0284S01

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-2 | Child Abuse and Neglect

Impact on Children:

This bill provides for criminal background checks of public library employees. It would require current and prospective employees of the public library in any employment position that involves significant contact with minors to submit to a criminal background check as a condition of employment;

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

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:

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Support evidence-based community violence intervention and means reduction strategies

HB0288S01 | Opioid Dispensing Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill creates certain requirements for the dispensing of opioids.

Highlighted Provisions:

For initial use prescriptions of opioids, a prescriber can offer to write a prescription for opioid antagonist like naloxone, unless the prescription is for 3 days or less. Pharmacies can offer counseling and can fill a prescription of an opioid antagonist like naloxone.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0288S01

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 15, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

By the age of 18 almost 20% of children in the United States report having received an opioid prescription at some point during their lifetime, the education and prescription of opioid antagonist like naloxone will be a beneficial option to parents and family to help prevent opioid abuse.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

National Resolution 2017 - RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PRESCRIPTION OPIATE ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION https://www.pta.org/docs/default-source/uploadedfiles/advocacy/recommend...

Expanding state-level initiatives to increase the availability and lower the cost of overdose reversal medications and programs to investigate possible access opportunities to Naloxone mirroring that of Automatic Defibrillators at schools and other areas where youth congregate.

HB0288 | Education and Mental Health Coordinating Council

Description

General Description:

This bill creates and establishes duties for the Education and Mental Health Coordinating Council.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill creates and establishes duties for the Education and Mental Health Coordinating Council which will make finding and recommendations regarding mental and behavioral health, and substance abuse issues support to youth and families.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0288

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 16, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2000-1 | Mental Illness (retired)

HEA 2020-1 | Emotional/Mental Health and Well-Being

Impact on Children:

Passage of this bill will establish a cooperative council of education and mental health leaders to work to provide support for youth and families related to mental and behavioral health, as well as substance abuse issues.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

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;

HB0290 | School Readiness Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies provisions related to a high quality school readiness program.

Highlighted Provisions:

11          This bill:
12          ▸     modifies the eligibility requirements for a preschool student to participate in a high
13     quality school readiness program;
14          ▸     modifies requirements for lead teacher certifications in a preschool program that an
15     eligible LEA or an eligible private provider runs as part of a high quality school
16     readiness program;
.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0290

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

Impact on Children:

This expands the access to high quality school readiness programs to include children in foster care and those children learning English. Early childhood education is an important foundation to future academic success. It also helps staffing issues by requiring the lead teacher to obtain certain requirements (CDA - child development associate OR associates/bachelors degree in early childhood education related field AND kindergarten transition plan)

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA Resolution Child Care 2022-1
Resolved, That Utah PTA support appropriate regulations to ensure quality child care; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage business and community groups to support child care; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage affected agencies to examine existing policies and create new policies which will better serve the needs of both children and parents;

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA supports federal and state incentives for quality child care and preschool programs that are affordable and accessible, coordinated at all levels (federal, state and local) and ensure quality in teacher training, health and safety standards.

Files

Attachment	Size
FAM 2022-1 Child Care Resolution.pdf	141.3 KB

HB0290S01 | Medicaid Waiver for Medically Complex Children Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends the Medicaid waiver program for children with disabilities and complex medical conditions.

Highlighted Provisions:

PTA's mission is to help make every child's potential a reality which includes giving them the opportunities and support they need. Supporting a child with multiple medical needs is a heavy load for parents and caregivers.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0290S01

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 15, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$1,000,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2024: to the Department of Health and Human Services - Integrated Health Care Services, Medicaid Home and Community Based Services, as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, $901,100; to the Department of Health and Human Services - Health Care Administration, Integrated Health Care Administration, as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, $94,200; and to the Department of Workforce Services - Operations and Policy, Eligibility Services, as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, $4,700.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2022-2 | High Expectations for Student with Disabilities

Impact on Children:

This waiver is meant to help families whose children need speciality medical care before the age of 19 that insurance doesn’t cover. We support giving these children the care they need to be successful.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That National PTA and its constituent associations support schools in
implementing best practices in meeting the needs of diverse students through
such practices as inclusion, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Multi-Tiered
System of Supports (MTSS), Response to Intervention (RTI), and any other similar
instructional practices to support instruction from a Core content expert, and
access to accommodations including assistive technology for students with
disabilities, that these students be enabled to go as far as possible toward
achieving their full potential and living a meaningful, fulfilling life.

HB0292 | Children's Health Insurance Plan Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends the Utah Children's Health Insurance Act.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill adds treatment for autism spectrum disorder to the program benefits within the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0292

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 16, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2009-1 | Autism Spectrum Disorders

Impact on Children:

Passage of this bill will ensure that treatment of autism spectrum disorders for children who qualify for health insurance under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will be covered which increases support to especially vulnerable children and provides greater equity in services for all children.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA support efforts to ensure appropriate and equitable coverage by private health plans and insurers for the diagnosis and medically necessary treatment of individuals with autism and other disorders causing developmental delays

HB0295 | Educator License Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the licensing of educators by the State Board of Education.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill is designed to give a certified educator license to individual who has successfully completed a certified educator training program, allowing that individual to provide educational services in a public school after demonstrating that the individual meets licensure requirements established in state board rule.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0295

Year:

2023

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 03, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Explanation: There are 33K teachers in the state. 30K hold a professional license; about 1,500 hold an associate license; Less than 1,500 hold a LEA specific license; and less than 500 hold no license at all.
The LEA license path would allow what Rep. Thurston highlights already
The performance of students is lower with lesser licensed teachers, leading to a student achievement problem.

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA support high standards for teacher preparation, licensing, hiring, recertification, professional development

HB0296 | Reading Disability Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions for benchmark assessments in reading.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill puts the definition of dyslexia back into Utah Code. It also amends provisions for benchmark assessments in reading.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0296

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 12, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2014-3 | Dyslexia and Other Specific Learning Disabilities

Impact on Children:

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, with approximately 1 in 10 people impacted by dyslexia. Having a definition in Utah Code gives legal standing to help kids and families get the help they need. This will also help support the parents in having a common language to use when working with schools.

Commission:

Education

Special Needs Specialist

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA advocate for early identification and interventions for students with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities in both general education and special education so that all children with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities can receive the appropriate interventions; and be it further

HB0298S03 | Homelessness Services Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies provisions related to the provision of homeless services.

Highlighted Provisions:

The amendment makes slight changes to who serves on the Homelessness Councils. It requires homelessness councils to establish goals to achieve functional zero level of homelessness (fewer or the same number of clients entering homelessness as are leaving homelessness). Finally, it lays out how/what data will be collected.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0298S03

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 18, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

COM 2018-1 | Homelessness and Transiency

Impact on Children:

In 2017, 35 percent of the homeless in Utah were families or children. Homelessness is devastating to the normal development and physical and mental health of a child. School communities with high rates of homeless students experience poor attendance rates, high dropout rates, lack of parent involvement and school contribution, lack of community cohesiveness, loss of consistency in educational impact and low predictability in school budget planning.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support educational guidelines and procedures that support students in homeless situations so that homelessness does not disrupt their right to a fair and free public education.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

1. 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.
4. Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Foster the development of full-service community schools, strengthen community partnerships and encourage the adoption of a whole-child approach that responds to the mental, physical, behavioral, developmental and academic needs of all students. Provide the foundation for all children to learn and thrive, including basic necessities like access to clean air, water and healthy nutrition in all communities.

HB0299S02 | Juvenile Justice Changes

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to juvenile justice.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill amends provisions related to juvenile justice.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0299S02

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 22, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

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 aligning with child welfare for youth that age out of their system with limited parental support.

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.
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.

Legislative Bills

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