Community Engagement

HB0102S01 | Higher Education Residency Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends higher education residency provisions.

Highlighted Provisions:

requires an institution within the state system of higher education to grant residency status to an individual who is not a citizen of the United States but has been granted or has applied for certain immigration status.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0102S01

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 13, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2022-2 | Support for Newcomer and Refugee Students and Families

Impact on Children:

Students preparing to enter higher education that are in Utah on a special visa, or have been granted refugee status or asylum, or can show that they are in the process of applying for said status and visa will be granted Utah residency tuition and benefits.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support additional flexibility for refugee students throughout the enrollment and placement process, including, but not limited to, flexibility regarding age, guardianship, and identity documentation, to ensure schools have accurate information; additional time for obtaining final vaccinations if compliance is likely, as refugees learn to navigate Utah’s healthcare system; and additional flexibility in the acceptance and translation of prior educational experience into Utah credits, ensuring each student is placed in the appropriate grades and classes

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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.

Equal opportunity for housing, education, health care, employment, and rights under the justice system

HB0180S02 | Child Welfare Placement Review Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions of the Utah Juvenile Code related to the termination of parental rights.

Highlighted Provisions:

addresses the analysis a juvenile court undertakes when evaluating whether to
terminate parental rights

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0180S02

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

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-2 | Child Abuse and Neglect

Impact on Children:

addresses the analysis a juvenile court undertakes when evaluating whether to
terminate parental rights

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:

Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

5. SAFETY. Support evidence-based community violence intervention and means reduction strategies.

HB0040S04 | Native American Child and Family Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the protection of Indian children and families.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
15          ▸     enacts the Utah Indian Child Welfare Act, including:
23               •     addressing placement of Indian children;
24               •     creating a process to return custody of an Indian child;
25               •     addressing information related to tribal affiliation;
26               •     authorizing agreements between the state and Indian tribes under certain
27     circumstances;
28               •     addressing improper removal of an Indian child;
29               •     explaining the application of state or federal standards;
30               •     providing for emergency removal or placement of an Indian child;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0040S04

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

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 1990-2 | Child Adoptions

FAM 2018-1 | Foster Care Standards

Impact on Children:

The Indian Child Welfare Act will create a better support system for Indian children by placing them, in a tribal foster home before being removed from the community to be placed in foster care. It also clearly defines the parameters for adopting an Indian child. Indian tribes are given exclusive jurisdiction over all custody hearings.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved: That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to pass laws that will ensure that the best interests of the child be given primary emphasis in placement matters.

Resolved: That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to pass laws that will ensure that the best interests of the child be given primary emphasis in adoption matters

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.To raise the standards of home life. To maximize local control when it serves the best interest of all children and youth.

To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. Support policies which will increase family and community engagement and promote local positive parental involvement across the state of Utah.

Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Kids

The films you will see in this festival reflect the power of friendship, teamwork, and relying on your community to find happiness and belonging in the face of challenges.

Utah PTA Pulse Podcast

The Utah PTA Pulse Podcast is an informative podcast to help parents and PTA leaders to make every child’s potential a reality.

Disagree Better

Americans need to disagree better. And by that we don’t mean that we need to be nicer to each other, although that’s helpful. We need to learn to disagree in a way that allows us to find solutions and solve problems instead of endlessly bickering.

HB0025 | Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force Sunset Extension

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force.

Highlighted Provisions:

16          This bill:
17          ▸     changes the name of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task
18     Force (task force) to the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Task Force;
19     and
20          ▸     extends from November 30, 2023, to November 30, 2024:

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0025

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:

The Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives task force would be extended for a year. The task force will provide a report to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee with a summary of their findings and ideas for improvement to keep indigenous women and children safer.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved: 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:

To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

SAFETY. Support evidence-based community violence intervention and means reduction strategies.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

Assist in the identification and return of missing or runaway children.

HB0021S05 | Open and Public Meetings Act Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies the Open and Public Meetings Act relating to public comment requirements and electronic meetings for certain public bodies.

Highlighted Provisions:

12          This bill:
13          ▸     requires a local school board holding an open meeting to allow a reasonable
14     opportunity for the public to provide verbal comments at the meeting, subject to
15     certain exceptions;
16          ▸     requires a local school board to adopt a written policy allowing public comment in a
17     public meeting;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0021S05

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

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2019-1 | Best Practices in Education

Impact on Children:

Allowing reasonable public comment creates a space for advocates of Utah's children to be heard in settings where the welfare of Utah's children and decisions that could affect their future may be being discussed.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved,That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage local and state school boards as well as school level administration and school level leadership teams to seek input from parents when developing policies to improve education;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

Advocate: by speaking on behalf of all children and youth in schools, in the community, before governmental bodies, and before other organizations that make decisions affecting children.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. Support policies which will increase family and community engagement and promote local positive parental involvement across the state of Utah.

Building Inclusion in PTA

An organization that recognizes diversity values differences and similarities among people through its actions and accountability. These characteristics include age, ethnicity, gender, language and culture, socioeconomic status, among many different things.

When PTAs respect differences yet acknowledge shared commonalities uniting their communities, and then develop meaningful priorities based upon their knowledge, they genuinely represent their communities. When PTAs represent their communities, they gain strength and effectiveness through increased volunteer and resource support.

National PTA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resources