Legislative Bills

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SB0198S02 | Human Trafficking Prevention Training

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates training requirements for human trafficking prevention and awareness.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 22, 2019
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 23
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

The majority of child trafficking cases go unreported due to the highly clandestine nature of the crime; policies and practices encouraging civil participation and cooperation in theprosecution of traffickers must be developed and enforced; and Whereas, It is also important that police, prosecutors and courts punish traffickers within a system that is quick and respects and safeguards the rights of the victims to privacy, dignity, and safety;

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

That National PTA and its constituent organizations encourage and call for members, policy makers in government, inter-governmental bodies and non-governmental, school and community organizations to raise awareness and to address those conditions and situations that contribute to child trafficking.

SB0198 | Substitute Teacher Training Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires substitute teachers to complete certain training before employment.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 12, 2020
Sponsor
Senator
Democrat - District 5
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Provides training for substitute teachers prior to their employment.

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

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2019-1 Best Practices in Education - Teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor in student achievement; teacher’s knowledge of subject matter and effective pedagogies for teaching specific content and skills, along with particular knowledge about their students’ backgrounds, interests, and learning styles are central to effective teaching and learning; and to build teacher capacity the focus should be on policy, training, pedagogy, infrastructure development, teacher welfare, and empowerment.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Utah PTA Legislative Priority #4. Support safe practices and environments for all children.

SB0201S01 | Radon Notice Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill allows for educational information about radon to be provided to residential property owners.

Highlighted Provisions: 

In 2023 county treasurers may include information on radon with their property tax notification.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 23, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 21
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

Increased awareness of radon and its connection to lung cancer can affect children and their future health outcomes through prevention efforts.

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

That Utah PTA work to inform parents about the concerns of radon exposure and make them aware of low cost test kits available for their homes

SB0204 | Autism Coverage Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to request a state plan amendment for the Medicaid program to provide coverage for autism treatment services.

Highlighted Provisions: 

General Description:
9 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to request a state plan
10 amendment for the Medicaid program to provide coverage for autism treatment
11 services.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 ▸ defines terms; and
15 ▸ requires the Department of Health and Human Services to request a state plan
16 amendment for the Medicaid program to provide coverage for autism treatment
17 services.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 15, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 24
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill would help children with autism on Medicaid to receive coverage for autism treatment services.

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

Resolved, 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;

SB0205 | Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends the options to provide instruction on child sexual abuse and human trafficking.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill: amends the options to provide instruction on child sexual abuse and human trafficking including: allowing a local education agency (LEA) to create instructional materials; requiring the state board to contract with a provider for child sexual abuse and human trafficking instruction and training; and establishing a grant for an LEA to use an alternative provider; and makes technical changes.
 

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 21, 2024
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$1,500,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2025: to State Board of Education - Contracted Initiatives and Grants - Child sexual abuse prevention as an ongoing appropriation: from the Income Tax Fund, $1,000,000 to State Board of Education - Contracted Initiatives and Grants - Child sexual abuse prevention grant program as an ongoing appropriation: from the Income Tax Fund, $500,000
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

These amendments provide age appropriate materials for teaching sexual abuse prevention on
(A) the responsibility of adults for the safety of children;
(B) how to recognize uncomfortable inner feelings;
(C) how to say no and leave an uncomfortable situation;
(D) how to set clear boundaries; and

(E) the importance of discussing uncomfortable situations with parents and other trusted adults.

This can help children realize what is happening to them and to report and to know more of what's going on around them. Sexual abuse happens more often than we think and often by someone the child knows. 

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations collaborate with schools and community organizations to increase awareness of the problem of child abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation land to help educate families, children, and educators about the causes of and strategies to prevent abuse

SB0206 | Tax Rate Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies the income tax rates.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
▸ decreases the corporate franchise and income tax rates and the individual income
tax rates for the 2021 and 2022 tax years; and
▸ makes the tax rate decrease permanent if revenue in the General Fund and
Education Fund exceeds a certain amount at the close of fiscal year 2021-22.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 10
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose
Impact on Children: 

Enactment of this bill could decrease revenues to the Education Fund by $253,000,000 in FY 2022 and $274,000,000 in FY 2023.

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

Resolved: That Utah PTA continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority.

SB0211 | Income Tax Fund Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill changes the name of the Education Fund to the Income Tax Fund.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
12          ▸     changes the name of the Education Fund to the Income Tax Fund.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2022
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 6
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA opposes the change of the name of the Education Fund to the Income Tax fund as this is a betrayal of the commitments made in the 2020 compromise enabling Amendment G. 

Impact on Children: 

The Utah constitution mandates that the income tax be used to fund education and, following the approval of Amendment G, purposes beyond eduction that benefit children and individuals with disabilities. By allowing the education fund to be called the Income tax fund, it misrepresents how the money can be spent, to the general public who may not understand the constitutional mandate, and may open the education fund to other purposes beyond that which is stated. This will impact children negatively in providing less funding for education. 

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority; and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries, technology, textbooks and supplies; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA supports the maintenance of a stable funding mechanism to support public education based on the following principles: enrollment growth; inflation; support of a K-12 education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account; funding the USBE Strategic Plan, and; the Governor’s 10-year Education Roadmap;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

The Utah PTA is a non-profit, grassroots, child advocacy association made up of parents, teachers, and students. The legislative program of the Utah PTA is derived from the work of PTA in home, school, and community. PTA efforts “to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth” are based upon: (1) the recognition of the home as the foundation of our society; (2) parental involvement as an essential component of all policy-making processes pertaining to children; (3) the observance and understanding of the rights and obligations of responsible citizenship and ethical government; and, (4) the realization that maintaining a free and public education system is a cornerstone of democracy—that the Utah Public Education System is created in the state Constitution to “secure and perpetuate” freedom.

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation:

Continued maintenance of the constitutional guarantee of financial support for public schools as the first claim on state revenues.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

1. Support a 5% WPU increase with maximum flexibility to be used for purposes such as recruiting, supporting, and retaining teachers or upgrading buildings to be physically safe and secure.

SB0212S03 | Motor Assisted Transportation Devices Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses motorcycle and electric assisted bicycle use.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
▸clarifies the definition of a motorcycle to address electric motorcycles;
▸modifies helmet requirements for youth; and
▸addresses the use of a bicycle, electric assisted bicycle, mini-motorcycle, motor assisted
scooter, or moped.

Bill Details
Year: 
2025
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 07, 2025
Sponsor
Senator
Democrat - District 9
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill reduces accident risks, promotes safe riding habits, and requires helmet use by minors to prevent injuries.

Commission: 
Safety
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

National PTA Position Statement - Child Safety and Protection
Raise awareness of the need for safe recreational equipment and facilities, playground safety, protective sports gear, and school bus safety.

SB0217S02 | Children's Health Coverage Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates alternative eligibility requirements for the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill changes eligibility for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), creates a waiting list and specifies benefits.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 15, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Democrat - District 10
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$4,500,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2024: to the Department of Health and Human Services -- Alternative Eligibility Expendable Revenue Fund as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $4,500,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Providing health care to children is a fundamental need which can have a profound effect on quality of life in helping children make their potential a reality.

Commission: 
Health
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

National Position Statement NATIONAL HEALTH REFORM AND ACCESS TO CARE FOR CHILDREN,YOUTH, FAMILIES AND PREGNANT WOMEN

The National PTA supports the establishment of a minimum health care financing mechanism guaranteeing that all children and families have either a public or private insurance that adequately covers basic needs. Families below the poverty level should be entitled to Medicaid.
 

SB0217 | Gang Prevention Funding Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies provisions regarding the Enhancement for At-Risk Students Program.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 22, 2019
Sponsor
Senator
Democrat - District 5
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Gang involvement negatively affects a child's social, academic and physical well-being; Children benefit when early inventions in home and school life are employed to stop gang affiliation.

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

Resolved,That local, council, region, and state PTA become actively involved in the education, prevention and intervention of gang related activity