Legislative Bills

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HB0334 | Health Education Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to health education.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Adds age appropriate education to health classes with the intent to prevent sexual violence. Topics include emotional manipulation, grooming, sexual coercion, and respecting others. Districts and Charter schools will review sexual assault data and use it to inform policy decisions.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 03, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 34
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

The latest data shows that sexual violence in our K-12 schools has seen a 43% increase. It is imperative that we work to decrease the serious issues of sexual violence and one way is through proper awareness and education.

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

National: RESPONSE TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AFFECTING STUDENTS

That National PTA and its constituent associations urge and support compliance with and strengthening of Title IX and other federal, state and local laws that identify, prohibit, and address the effects of sexual harassment and sexual violence impacting students and be it further.

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent associations encourage and collaborate with school administrations and community partners to ensure that every school provides support services for victims and presents awareness and prevention programs that address sexual harassment and sexual violence affecting students, including the responsibilities of educational institutions and the rights of sexual violence and sexual harassment victims under Title IX and other laws.

HB0334 | Special Needs Training for Law Enforcement Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires peace officer training to include training on autism spectrum disorder and other mental illnesses.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
▸ requires that peace officers have training in intervention responses to autism spectrum disorder and other mental illnesses.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill provides training for police officers in dealing with individuals with autism spectrum disorders and mental illness. This training would help promote better outcomes for everyone involved.

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

That Utah PTA facilitate in the education of parents, local PTA leaders, school teachers and school boards, community organizations, churches, and the general public about cause and effects of mental illnesses in children and youth

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.

HB0336 | Distracted Driving Amendments

Description
General Description: 

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

Highlighted Provisions: 

13 ▸ defines terms related to the use of a wireless communication device;
14 ▸ prohibits certain uses of a wireless communication device while operating a motor
15 vehicle on a roadway;
16 ▸ provides limited exceptions to the prohibition on the use of a wireless
17 communication device while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway;
18 ▸ amends penalties for a violation

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 03, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 34
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
National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

NPTA 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;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

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.

HB0337 | Child Mental Health Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill relates to mental health services provided to a child.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill requires the Office of Child Care to: Collaborate with the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to deliver early childhood programs and child care throughout the state; and, coordinate services for training and education regarding child behavioral health; and, requires the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to administer a grant program for the purpose of providing education regarding best practices for early childhood mental health support and interventions.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$2,000,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2022: to Department of Human Services -- Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Community Mental Health Services, as a one-time appropriation: From General Fund, One-time, $500,000. to Department of Human Services -- Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Community Mental Health Services, as an ongoing appropriation: From General Fund, $500,000. to Department of Human Service -- Executive Director Operations, Executive Director's Office, as an ongoing appropriation: From General Fund, $1,000,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Passage of this bill will provide a funding source to provide education regarding best practices for early childhood mental health support and interventions.

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

That Utah PTA collaborate with other agencies to compile and widely distribute current
information about mental health resources to parents and organizations which serve children and youth

HB0337S03 | Office of the Education Ombudsman

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates the Office of the Education Ombudsman.

Highlighted Provisions: 

"17 ▸establishes the duties of the office;
18 ▸enacts provisions governing liability and protected communications of the office;
19 ▸enacts provisions governing office confidentiality and privilege;
20 ▸amends provisions protecting certain records created or submitted to the office"

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 04, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 14
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA is concerned that this bill interferes with the mandate given by the Utah Constitution to the State Board of Education, as stated in Article X, section 3, " The general control and supervision of the public education system shall be vested in a State Board of Education. The USBE has a current system and complaints are handled promptly and professionally.

Impact on Children: 

Utah PTA encourages parents to work with the decision-maker closest to the concern. When there is a problem in the classroom, parents should work with the teacher. When there are concerns in the school, parents should work with the administrator. Parents can develop relationships and work through issues without having to involve someone from the Governor's office. Family engagement in education through positive relationship building in the schools creates a better learning environment for students.  

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

That Utah PTA recognizes the State Board of Education as the body elected to establish policy and standards for education in the State of Utah

HB0338S01 | School District Voter Eligibility Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates a student voter pilot project for local school board elections.

Highlighted Provisions: 

allows local school boards to vote to allow students who are 16 and 17 years old to vote in local school board elections

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 25
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA encourages positive involvement in the political process by parents and families, which includes more than just voting. The National PTA supports the concept of shared responsibility in the development of school policies and in curriculum decisions. PTA urges all school boards to cooperate with parents, teachers, students, principals, administrators, business, civic and community leaders, and the general public in this process. As students learn and grow in their knowledge and understanding, they can take on more responsibility. Just like the process of learning to drive, where we don't immediately give the keys to the car without going through the driver's education process, we shouldn't be giving the "keys to the car" of voting without going through a similar education process. We encourage school board nominees, as well as all persons running for public office, to find ways to engage with our students to help them as they learn the issues around voting and the political process.

Impact on Children: 

This bill would allow 16 & 17 year-olds to vote in local school board elections, but only if the local school board votes to allow it.

If they register to vote through this process, they will be automatically registered to vote for all elections at age 18, unless they opt out.

 

There is created a student voter pilot project. The student voter pilot project begins on January 1, 2022, and ends on January 1, 2027.
A local school board may participate in the student voter pilot project, in accordance with the requirements of this section and all other applicable provisions of law, by voting to allow student voters to vote in the local school board's elections.

If a local school board votes to participate in the student voter pilot project, the local school board shall, as soon as is reasonably possible after the vote, transmit notice of the vote to all election officers within the local school board's boundaries.

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

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations urge the Utah Legislature to bring the government closer to all Utahns by supporting legislation that protects each voter’s right to be heard in an election without partisan politics controlling the election process, 
That Utah PTA and its constituent associates encourage parents to be actively involved in the election process, recognizing this to be in the best interest of
children.

 

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATIONAL DECISION MAKING

The National PTA supports the concept of shared responsibility in the development of school policies and in curriculum decisions. PTA urges all school boards to cooperate with parents, teachers, students, principals, administrators, business, civic and community leaders, and the general public in this process.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

(2) parental involvement as an essential component of all policy-making processes pertaining to children;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

6. 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.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

 

HB0339 | School Community Council Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill grants the State Board of Education certain rulemaking authority regarding school community councils for which there are insufficient members to fill certain positions.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill grants the State Board of Education certain rulemaking authority regarding school community councils for which there are insufficient members to fill certain positions.

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 12, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 51
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This bill creates a mechanism for USBE to make allowance for schools that cannot fill positions on their School Community Council. Without a functioning SCC, schools should not be given their Trust Land funds. This will allow USBE to work with the school and find a way to resolve the issue.

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

Resolved That Utah PTA encourage the Utah State Legislature to support all distributions from the permanent State School Fund being dispersed to each K-12 public school to improve student academic performance.

HB0339 | Paid Teacher Preparation Days for Curriculum and Classroom Transparency

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires the State Board of Education to provide funding for paid preparation days for teachers to improve curriculum and classroom transparency.

Highlighted Provisions: 

"▸ requires the State Board of Education to provide funding for a certain number of
15 paid preparation days for teachers to improve curriculum and classroom
16 transparency."

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 04, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 42
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Local Issue

Utah PTA supports additional paid days for teacher preparation, but is concerned for any unfunded mandates, especially with the high fiscal note associated with this legislation (84 Million).

Impact on Children: 

Utah students will be better served with more prepared teachers

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

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the State Legislature to prioritize education funding in the areas of teacher capacity

HB0340 | Mathematics and Science Opportunities for Students and Teachers Program

Description
General Description: 

This bill reinstates the Math and Science Opportunities for Students and Teachers Program.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill reinstates the Math and Science Opportunities for Students and Teachers (MOST)
Program, and addresses the duties and authority of the State Board of Education related to the funding of the MOST Program and associated grants;

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$4,000,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2022: to the State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $3,900,000; and to the State Board of Education - MSP Categorical Program Administration, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $100,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill establishes a grant program for LEAs to increase opportunities for supporting math and science teachers in their instructional delivery. It would increase compensation for math and science teachers by providing opportunities for an expanded contract year. This would provide more opportunities for students in math and science and would also enhance a LEAs' ability to attract and retain talented and highly qualified math and science teachers;

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

Resolved: That Utah PTA support adequate funding for and encourage consideration of financial incentives to recruit and retain highly qualified and effective educators, including appropriation of adequate funding to upgrade salary schedules;

HB0340 | School Absenteeism and Truancy Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to truancy.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 74
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Studies showing best practices indicate that parents and community who work together to promote good attendance; ... and provide early identification programs have a positive affect on school attendance. This Bill attempts to create a uniform standard in the specific case of truancy. This will help eliminate confusion among districts on what is an absence in regards to counting toward truancy and will better support students in the context of restorative practices and who should be referred in regards to truancy issues.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA urge the Utah State Board of Education to adopt policies for early identification of students who are chronically absent; provide targeted prevention, positive support, and outreach strategies and services which include parents and families that address chronic absenteeism; and develop community-wide awareness strategies;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OF CHILDREN
Support the use of positive behavioral interventions and support (PBIS) models in schools instead of exclusionary discipline policies