Safety

HB0016S02 | Block Grant Funding for Prevention Programs in Public Education

Description
General Description: 

This bill establishes block grant funding for the implementation of comprehensive prevention programs in local education agencies.

Highlighted Provisions: 

18 ▸ establishes block grant funding for the implementation of comprehensive prevention
19 programs in local education agencies (LEAs);

27 • submit one comprehensive report instead of individually required reports if the
28 LEA implements a comprehensive prevention plan;
29 ▸ amends a list of programs for which the Legislature annually determines the cost of
30 automatic increases for inflation and enrollment growth to include the block grant
31 funding;
32 ▸ amends existing prevention programs to accommodate the opportunity for block
33 grant funding;
34 ▸ authorizes the use of certain excess funds in the Underage Drinking and Substance
35 Abuse Prevention Program Restricted Account for distribution through block grant
36 funding;

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill will allow for decreased reporting requirements of LEAs for comprehensive prevention programs in schools, which should increase comprehensive, evidence based, prevention plans in schools.

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

Resolved, Utah PTA and its constituent associations will participate and support methods to assess and recognize the risk and protective factors in their local schools, families and communities; and be it further

Resolved, Utah PTA and its constituent associations will support evidence based programs to decrease risk factors and increase protective factors in our homes, schools and communities

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.

COMMITMENT: We are dedicated to children’s educational success, health, and well-being through strong family and community engagement, while remaining accountable to the principles upon which our association was founded.

Engage the public in united and equitable efforts to secure the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being of all children and youth.
 

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

2. HEALTH. Support legislation that addresses mental health needs of Utah’s children and families by increasing education and awareness of current statewide mental health issues; and providing funding for prevention, early intervention, and evidenced-based community outreach programs.

HB0122S01 | Sex Offender Registry Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to individuals required to register for the sex offender registry.

Highlighted Provisions: 

14 ▸ clarifies that juveniles committing qualifying offenses are still required to comply
15 with registry requirements;
16 ▸ adds attempt, solicitation, and conspiracy to commit certain human trafficking
17 offenses to the offenses that qualify for the sex offender registry;
18 ▸ clarifies that for purposes of determining a lifetime registration requirement for an
19 offender under 21 years old, a sentencing court may determine at any time after a
20 conviction that the offense did not involve force or coercion;
21 ▸ enacts provisions related to juveniles transferred from the custody of the Division of
22 Juvenile Justice Services to the Department of Corrections;
23 ▸ specifies the number of days an offender may drive a particular car before that car's
24 information must be reported;
25 ▸ requires the Department of Corrections to maintain, but not publish, information on
26 individuals who were under 18 years old when they committed a qualifying offense,
27 unless the offender committed an offense requiring lifetime registration;

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 61
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Children should be safe in their community and should be protected from dangerous individuals; However, every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential—even if they make a mistake while growing up. This bill protects juvenile offenders from being on the sex-offender registry if they committed a crime while under the age of 18.

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

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.

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.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Encourage schools to use positive behavioral interventions and supports that are effective, fair and consistently implemented. Such practices may include restorative justice and trauma-informed care

SB0074S01 | Digital Wellness, Citizenship, and Safe Technology Commission Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to the Digital Wellness, Citizenship, and Safe Technology Commission.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill extends the sunset date for the Digital Wellness, Citizenship, and Safe Technology Commission from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2025

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 03, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 27
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

The Digital Wellness, Citizenship, and Safe Technology Commission was formed on March 20, 2020 with the signature of Governor Gary Herbert and became effective May 12, 2020. It was not funded until over a year later. The Commission started working on their goal to advance the training of every student in healthy behaviors related to technology use in 2022. It would be short-sighted to end this Commission when their work is just beginning and thus the request to extend the sunset date.

Commission: 
Safety
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

SAFETY. Support funding to strengthen school safety measures including upgrading school buildings to be safe and secure, safety training and educating families and communities on school safety policies, children’s online safety, and evaluating digital threats to schools in Utah.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

Media Safety: Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support increased awareness of the impact of advertising, television, video games, apps with content available to devices, music and movie violence to the children of Utah and encourage the development of programs to assist families and children in developing critical skills in Digital Wellness, Digital Citizenship, and Media Literacy;

Any mental health intervention, prevention programs or services must include a strong family engagement component—including collaborative relationships with the family, school and community partners (physicians, early learning providers and caregivers and other related health providers)—as well as transparent and open communication and coordination between provider, school, parents and families.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

✓ Support every student’s mental health and provide and connect students with necessary behavioral and mental health resources at school and in their community

HB0099 | Sex Offender Restrictions Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill increases the penalty for repeat offenders of sex offender restrictions.

Highlighted Provisions: 

12 ▸ increases the penalty for repeat offenders of sex offender restrictions; and
13 ▸ makes technical changes.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 54
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Children should be safe in their community and should be protected from dangerous individuals. Children should be protected from sex offenders in public places where children congregate. If sex offenders ignore the restrictions placed upon them, then the penalties should be increased to encourage compliance.

Commission: 
Safety
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

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

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

COMMITMENT: We are dedicated to children’s educational success, health, and well-being through strong family and community engagement, while remaining accountable to the principles upon which our association was founded.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

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

 

HB0018S01 | Online Dating Safety Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill concerns online dating service safety requirements.

Highlighted Provisions: 

▸ requires certain safety notifications and disclosures by an online dating service provider;
▸ provides enforcement procedures and a penalty for a violation of the notifications

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 25
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

Too many people including teens are deceived, defrauded, or misled by users of online dating apps. This bill would help to keep our community safe by notifying users of dating apps if another user has a criminal record.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA supports adequate legislation that applies legal consequences for violence in dating relationships.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

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

 

HB0140 | Standard Response Protocol to Active Threats in Schools

Description
General Description: 

This bill codifies and expands on existing administrative rules related to required emergency drills in public schools.

Highlighted Provisions: 

codifies portions of existing administrative rules made by the State Board of
Education (state board) regarding required emergency preparedness plans,
▸ requires monthly and developmentally appropriate training or drills regarding an
active threat within the school;

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 3
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

One of the purposes of Utah PTA is to promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship. This bill would promote the safety of children at school so students and all school personnel will know what to do in any emergency.
 

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

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage all efforts to address school safety to involve all stakeholders, especially students, parents, and families, and consider a variety of factors including the physical and psychological safety of students;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
To develop, between educators and the general public, such united efforts as will secure, for all children and youth, the highest advantages in physical, social, and spiritual education.
 

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

SAFETY. Support funding to strengthen school safety measures including upgrading school buildings to be safe and secure, safety training and educating families and communities on school safety policies, children’s online safety, and evaluating digital threats to schools in Utah.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

PTA firmly believes that all students—including students from historically marginalized populations—have the right to a quality, equitable education in a safe, supportive and inclusive school.

HB0060S02 | Juvenile Justice Modifications

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to juvenile justice.

Highlighted Provisions: 

▸ addresses the use of juvenile delinquency records by public and private employers;
▸ amends provisions regarding the inspection of juvenile court records;
▸ requires the State Board of Education to include information about dangerous
weapons in an annual report on school discipline and law enforcement action;
▸ requires the State Board of Education to provide a report on school discipline and
law enforcement action to the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice;
▸ modifies a reporting requirement regarding a dangerous weapon on school grounds;
▸ requires the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to provide a report
to the Judiciary Interim Committee regarding minors in possession of dangerous
weapons on school grounds;
▸ amends provisions regarding a petition for expungement of a juvenile court record
with an adjudication, including the notice and hearing requirements for the petition;
 

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 38
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
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 updating language to current vernacular, requires reports from USBE and the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice about school violence and law enforcement, and clarifies expungement of juvenile records.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage the State of Utah Division of Family Services and Division of Youth Corrections to establish a coordination and communication network among placing agencies and workers;

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.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Encourage schools to use positive behavioral interventions and supports that are effective, fair and consistently implemented. Such practices may include restorative justice and trauma-informed care.

HB0136S01 | Safe School Route Evaluations

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires a school traffic safety committee to include recommendations for infrastructure improvements in a child access routing plan.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill requires a school traffic safety committee to include recommendations for infrastructure improvements in a child access routing plan.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 03, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 20
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

Children should be able to travel to and from school in a safe manner, this bill will identify the safest routes to and from schools and will recommend improvements that need to be made.

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

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage all efforts to address school safety to involve all stakeholders, especially students, parents, and families, and consider a variety of factors including the physical and psychological safety of students;

Resolved, That the National PTA urge its state branches, councils, and local units to work with other community groups and agencies to maintain a continuing surveillance of safety matters in their areas; and be it further

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

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
COLLABORATION: We will work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to broaden and enhance our ability to serve and advocate for all children and families.

Engage the public in united and equitable efforts to secure the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being of all children and youth.
 

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

SAFETY. Support funding to strengthen school safety measures including upgrading school buildings to be safe and secure, safety training and educating families and communities on school safety policies, children’s online safety, and evaluating digital threats to schools in Utah.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

PTA firmly believes that all students—including students from historically marginalized populations—have the right to a quality, equitable education in a safe, supportive and inclusive school.

HB0061S04 | School Safety Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses school safety and security issues.

Highlighted Provisions: 

▸ creates the School Security Task Force;
▸ requires the task force to develop the qualifications, duties, and scope of authority
of the state security chief;
▸ requires that all secondary schools have a school resource officer

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 7
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$78,943,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2024: to the State Board of Education - Contracted Initiatives and Grants, as a one-time appropriation: from the Income Tax Fund, One-Time, $75,000,000; to the State Board of Education - Policy, Communication, & Oversight: from the Income Tax Fund, $3,660,000; and to the Department of Public Safety - Programs and Operations: from the General Fund, $283,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending

Utah PTA supports the creation of a School Security Task Force; however, we would request that a parent representative be added to the committee makeup.

Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This bill would make schools safer by creating a School Security Task Force.

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

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage all efforts to address school safety to involve all stakeholders, especially students, parents, and families, and consider a variety of factors including the physical and psychological safety of students;

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage investment from Federal, State and local decisionmakers for the necessary physical and psychological student supports and services, including locally determined physical safety measures, appropriate resources for health and wellness services, research-based online safety programs, qualified school-based health and wellness practitioners, training on trauma-informed practices, and optional mental health screenings for all students,

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

SAFETY. Support funding to strengthen school safety measures including upgrading school buildings to be safe and secure, safety training and educating families and communities on school safety policies, children’s online safety, and evaluating digital threats to schools in Utah.

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