Safety

HB0168 | School Bus Safety Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies the Traffic Code by requiring a new school bus purchased after June 30, 2020, to be equipped with seatbelts.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 33
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending

This bill is an unfunded mandate and will require districts to fund the buses themselves at an exorbitant cost.

Impact on Children: 

Research has concluded that high backed padded seats and seat belts together improve overall bus passenger safety by providing true compartmentalization in accidents, especially side impacts and rollovers, and the use of seat belts does not significantly increase evacuation time, and current seat belt buckle design coupled with education on evacuation helps ensure that no child of school age will be trapped in a bus by their seat belt; and use of seat belts on school buses will reinforce the important safety habit of buckling up, and Students who are properly belted in are less distracting to the school bus driver, and a strong seat belt use policy will significantly reduce fatal actions such as putting one's head or arm out of a school bus window, or falling out of a school bus door, by school bus passengers.

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

Resolved, That the National PTA shall support legislation or regulation requiring any new bus purchased for the purpose of transporting school children to be equipped with seat belts, and further be it

Resolved, That National PTA shall encourage all school districts to implement strong seat belt use, education, and enforcement policies.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

National PTA Resolution Seat Belt in New School Buses

HB0108 | Human Trafficking Revisions

Description
General Description: 

This bill clarifies that children who are engaged in commercial sex should be treated as victims.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 25, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 26
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

This bill provides that children engaged in commercial sex or sexual solicitation should be treated as victims;
requires law enforcement officers who encounter a child engaged in commercial sex or sexual solicitation to conduct an investigation into whether the child is being trafficked;
creates a pathway for human trafficking victims to have adjudications for crimes
committed while being trafficked vacated.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations promote and support the adoption and enforcement of laws, at all levels of government, to end the recruitment, force or involvement of a minor in conduct or violence of a sexually nature and all forms of sexual exploitation;
and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for the protection of rights of victims and support provided measures for the physical, psychological, and social recovery of victims of sexual exploitation;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

National PTA Resolution Child Trafficking 2009

HB0013 | Distracted Driver Amendments

Description
General Description: 

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

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 37
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

The changes would increase the ability to enforce the law by not allowing any manual manipulation and thereby making Utah roads safer for all.

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

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;

HB0020 | Human Trafficking Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill clarifies and amends certain language regarding human trafficking and creates an offense for trafficking a vulnerable adult.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 21, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 26
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

This bill replaces references to "children engaged in prostitution" with "children engaged in commercial sex";and directs law enforcement to investigate possible human trafficking of a child when they encounter a child engaged in commercial sex; This law also allows victims to seek Civil recourse from their human traffickers or those benefiting from human trafficking of the victim.

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

Utah PTA and its constituent associations promote and support the adoption and enforcement of laws, at all levels of government, to end the recruitment, force or involvement of a minor in conduct or violence of a sexually nature and all forms of sexual exploitation;

Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for the protection of rights of victims
and support provided measures for the physical, psychological, and social recovery of
victims of sexual exploitation;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Child Trafficking Resolution from 2009:
Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations support the adoption and enforcement of laws that will deter the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of children for the purpose of exploitation; and be it further

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations advocate for the protection of rights of victims and support efforts to provide measures for the physical, psychological, and social recovery of victims of child trafficking; and be it further

HB0017S02 | Firearm Violence and Suicide Prevention Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill reenacts and modifies previously sunsetted provisions relating to a voluntary firearm safety program and a suicide prevention education course.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 28, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$510,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2020: to Department of Human Services - Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $10,000. to Department of Human Services - Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, as a one-time appropriation: from General Fund Restricted, One-time - Concealed Weapons Account, $500,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Training and Safety information to prevent injury

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

That Utah PTA support educational programs and intervention strategies designed to do the following: 1) Teach firearm responsibility through use of Utah PTA approved and recognized programs. 2) Encourage parents to talk with and educate their children about gun safety and responsible firearm usage; and be it further

HB0217 | Open Carry Near Schools Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill prohibits carrying a dangerous weapon within 500 feet of an elementary or secondary school.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 25
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Unsafe schools make it difficult for students to concentrate on learning;
Many school officials and community members are working together with families to build a safe environment where children and youth can flourish and grow; Not having firearms in the vicinity of schools would make this possible.

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

That Utah PTA continues to work for enhanced legislation that promotes safe schools

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Safety Resolution:
Resolved, That state laws and local ordinances be monitored to assure adequate safety regulations for the protection of children and youth;

HB0120S06 | Student and School Safety Assessment

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts provisions related to school safety.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 28, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$780,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2020: to the State Board of Education - MSP Categorical Program Administration - State Safety and Support Program, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $480,000; to the Department of Public Safety - Programs and Operations - Department Commissioner's Office, as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, $150,000; and to the Department of Human Services - Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, $150,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending

Utah PTA continues to work for enhanced legislation that promotes safe schools and encourages decision making and control be under the direction of local school boards. However, we believe the fiscal responsibility of this bill should come from new revenue sources and not at the expense of an increase in WPU, fully funded student growth and trust lands dispersments.

Impact on Children: 

Unsafe schools make it difficult for students to concentrate on learning. Many school officials and community members are working together with families to build a safe environment where children and youth can flourish and grow. Since being prepared can reduce the fear, anxiety, losses that accompany disasters, communities, families, and individuals should know what to do in the event of a disaster.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations work to provide for the safety and survival of all children in a disaster by collaborating with schools, cities, first responders and parents by adopting and maintaining an all-hazards approach in the school's emergency preparedness and response plans specific to their school's needs, and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations work with Utah schools to educate and train students, parents, staff and first responders on their school's emergency preparedness and response plan by facilitating drills and exercises including evacuation, lockdown, shelter-inplace and reunification, and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations urge local and state policy makers to update policies to current standards, facilitate multiagency coordination, promote education and fund comprehensive emergency preparedness plans. Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies work with their respective state education specialists, in there districts, schools, and communities to encourage the development and implementation of safe school policies, and and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA continues to work for enhanced legislation that promotes safe schools.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Safe and Supportive Schools Position Statement Establish a clear and enforceable visitor/guest identification system and provide training for school staff to recognize and report individuals who are not properly identified. Examine on a regular basis the use, functionality, and effectiveness of all locally determined physical security measures. Evaluate access points to the school and surrounding property including parking lots, open spaces, playgrounds, and playing fields to limit access to non-school personnel during school hours

Suggestions on how to keep your child safe on the internet and devices.
Website links with great information and resources to keep you and your family more safe when online.