SB0165S02 | Economic Mobility Initiative

Description
General Description: 

This bill establishes a partnership to support community-based partnerships focused on educational and economic outcomes.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This is a landmark legislative proposal designed to lift Utah families out of poverty by transforming schools into community hubs through the REACH Initiative. By establishing a grant program for community-based partnerships, the bill aligns local nonprofits, government agencies, and schools under a single "Mobility Action Plan" to provide essential wraparound services—such as mental health care, early literacy tutoring, and workforce training—directly to students and their parents.

Bill Details
Year: 
2026
Status: 
Senate/ to Governor
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2026
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 17
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

The impact of S.B. 165 on Utah's children is centered on the idea that a child cannot reach their academic potential if their basic needs are not met. By transforming schools into "hubs" for community support, the bill aims to change the daily reality for thousands of students. For the Utah PTA, S.B. 165 is not just another "education bill"—it is a legislative blueprint for the Whole Child advocacy the PTA has led for decades.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations actively seek or develop and promote programs that assist parents in extending and supporting skills developed at school; and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA promote the use of programs and tools to guide parents, alongside their children, in forming plans for their children’s education; and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations provide opportunities for parents to feel welcome and valued at their children’s schools and to partner intentionally with teachers and other school personnel as well as create strong partnerships within the community;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

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

Champion opportunities for constructive family engagement within schools and the greater community.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

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. We recognize that boards of education have the legal responsibility for school policy. At the same time, we believe that, because parents, teachers, students, and the general public are affected by school policy, it is appropriate that they participate in its determination. We believe that such sharing of responsibility will result in greater responsiveness to student and societal needs and therefore improve the quality of educational opportunity.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

According to the National PTA Legislative Checklist, we support bills that provide for early intervention, rural equity, and meaningful parent leadership. S.B. 165 checks every one of these boxes by prioritizing our most vulnerable families and ensuring that parents are treated as partners in their children’s success.