Legislative Bills

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HB0387 | Firearm Attachment Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses firearm attachments.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill creates the criminal offenses of unlawful possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of a machinegun firearm attachment

Bill Details
Year: 
2025
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 07, 2025
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 40
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support w/ Comment

The Utah PTA advocates for gun safety and violence prevention to protect children while respecting responsible gun ownership and Second Amendment rights. This bill strengthens safety by prohibiting the possession, manufacture, distribution, and sale of machine gun firearm attachments, reducing access to dangerous modifications and helping to prevent gun violence.

Impact on Children: 

This law helps protect children by reducing access to dangerous firearm modifications, lowering the risk of gun violence. By making possession, sale, and distribution of machinegun attachments illegal—especially with stricter penalties for minors—it discourages youth involvement with high-powered weaponry and enhances overall community safety.

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

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

SAFETY: Support funding to strengthen school safety and security measures, to ensure a physical, academic, social, and emotional safe school community for all This includes but is not limited to school infrastructure, comprehensive safety training, community violence and bullying intervention and reduction, mental health training and resources as well as the education to families and communities on school safety protocols, children's online security, and the assessment of digital threats posed to schools across Utah.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

National PTA Position Statement - Firearms

National PTA Position Statement - Firearms
Given the history and tradition of strong support for the safety and protection of children and youth, PTA supports federal restrictions on firearms that would:
• Ban bump stocks, military-style semi-automatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Support sensible solutions to gun violence, including promoting the safe and secure storage of firearms, strengthening the federal background check system, investing in evidence-based community violence interventions and addressing youth access to firearms, especially assault or military-style weapons.

HB0390S01 | Early College and Concurrent Enrollment Program Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment programs.

Highlighted Provisions: 

"14 ▸ aligns references to Advanced Placement courses, exams, and credit;
15 ▸amends requirements for a State Board of Education funding distribution formula
16 for early college programs to prioritize funding to cover the cost of each early
17 college program test for certain students;
18 ▸addresses LEA use of certain program funds for concurrent enrollment courses for
19 certain students;
20 ▸ allows an LEA to charge a restricted rate for indirect costs in concurrent enrollment
21 programs"

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 74
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support

Utah PTA supports lessening the burden on low income families with the lifting of AP test fees. This legislation does not impose a significant financial burden on LEAs but Utah PTA encourages the legislature to appropriate the necessary funds to keep LEAs whole.

Impact on Children: 

The most financially vulnerable children will be positively impacted by this bill, and not worry about paying fees that they can't afford when they are academically deserving.

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

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;

HB0391 | School Textbook Fee Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends the definition of textbook and expands the costs and materials provided by a school for which a fee may not be charged to students.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 14
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Provides a clear definition of materials that the school must provide students a fee waiver.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Utah PTA Legislative Priority #7. Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social and emotional well being through affordable housing, homelessness initiatives, education, and parenting skills, and juvenile justice reforms.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

Utah PTA Position Statement School Fees - Utah PTA supports school fees legislation and Board rule that provides a clear definition of a fee, requires the fee to be equal or less than the expense incurred by the LEA (Local Education Agency), and holds LEAs accountable for incorrectly charging school fees.

HB0393 | Low Performing Schools Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill makes changes to the way the State Board of Education designates a low performing school.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
▸ requires the State Board of Education (state board) to set the criteria for designating a low performing school in rules the state board makes

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 71
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill would allow the state school board to determine the standard for determining a low performing school rather than the legislature. The state school board is the appropriate body to make this designation and to work with a school on a turnaround plan.

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

That Utah PTA recognize the State Board of Education as the appropriate body to form standards of accountability and methods of school evaluation based on these standards

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Support accountability for all public schools that take into account the needs of students, teachers, and communities including the suspension or elimination of rating schools with a single letter grade and the establishment of a new baseline for future accountability measures.

HB0393S04 | Suicide Prevention Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill relates to suicide prevention and mental health treatment.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 28, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$1,615,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2020: to General Fund Restricted -- Survivors of Suicide Loss Account, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $40,000. to Department of Human Services -- Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund -- Survivors of Suicide Loss Account, $40,000. to General Fund Restricted -- Psychiatric Consultation Program Account, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $275,000. to Department of Human Services -- Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund -- Psychiatric Consultation Program Account, $275,000. to Department of Human Services -- Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $285,000. to Governor's Office -- Suicide Prevention -- Suicide Prevention, as a one-time appropriation: from General Fund, One-time, $700,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

More help and funding for suicide prevention

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

Resolved, That the Utah Legislature be encouraged to provide adequate funding to provide suicide prevention programs in every district and school in the State of Utah.

HB0393S02 | Early Intervention for Dyslexia Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates the Dyslexia Screening Pilot Program.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Creates the Dyslexia Screening Pilot Program. Dyslexia screener will be created at the U of U College of Education and the U of U Education Policy Center. Requires USBE to oversee and administer the pilot program and to provide a repeal date. Protects teachers from retaliation for recommending dyslexia screening.

Bill Details
Year: 
2026
Status: 
House/ to Governor
Last Action: 
Mar 12, 2026
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 15
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill would help identify students with dyslexia and would provide information for parents and students.

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

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations support funded legislation to assist in training teachers, other school personnel and parents in early identification, appropriate education intervention, and assistive technologies for dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities

HB0393S01 | Services for People with Disabilities

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates the Services for People with Disabilities Perpetual Trust Fund.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill creates the Services for People with Disabilities Perpetual Trust Fund to pay for services for people on the waiting list for services with the Division of Services for People with Disabilities.

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 01, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 22
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$840,000,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2025: to Department of Health and Human Services - Long-Term Services & Support - Community Supports Waiver Services as a one-time appropriation: from the Income Tax Fund, One-time, $20,000,000 to Department of Health and Human Services - Services for People with Disabilities Perpetual Trust Fund as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, One-time, $400,000,000 to Transfers to Unrestricted Funds - Income Tax Fund as a one-time appropriation: from the American Rescue Plan Act Administrative Fund, One-time, $20,000,000 to Transportation - Transportation Investment Fund of 2005 as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, One-time, ($400,000,000)
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This would help children who are on the DSPD waitlist get the funding they need to help them and their families.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA support programs that help mentoring families, including those that focus on the individual or family for a significant amount of time, teaching parenting skills, promoting continuing education, encouraging good health care for themselves and their children, and helping children succeed in school.

HB0394S01 | Hold Harmless for Public Education Enrollment Decline

Description
General Description: 

This bill contingently provides additional funding for the Minimum School Program in certain fiscal years.

Highlighted Provisions: 

13          This bill:
14          ▸     contingently provides additional funding for the Minimum School Program in
15     certain fiscal years;
16          ▸     subjects the provision of additional funding to a sunset review by a legislative
17     committee;

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 13
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

Data shows that student enrollment growth will decline over the next 10 years. This will lead to less funding for schools. This bill freezes the enrollment growth for five years so funding levels will not decrease. Implementation of this bill will only occur if the constitutional amendment is approved in the 2024 General election. 

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations 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 and its constituent associations encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries, technology, programs, supplies, and evidenced-based practices that have an impact on student achievement; and, be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support the maintenance of a stable and adequate 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.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Maximum local control when it serves the best interest of all children and youth.

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

1. EDUCATION FUNDING. Support an adequately funded public school system by: supporting a 6.5% WPU increase over and above growth and inflation to be used for purposes such as recruiting, supporting, and retaining teachers; supporting increased access to full-day kindergarten by funding K-12 students at a full WPU; and supporting policies to increase proficiency levels in public schools, improving attendance, and increase academic excellence for all Utah students.

HB0395S04 | DUI Offense Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to driving under the influence, including penalties, sentencing, and pretrial detention.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
▸ provides that an actor is guilty of a class A misdemeanor when the actor commits driving under the influence while also operating a vehicle in the opposite direction of traffic on a one-way highway with more than one lane of traffic; reduces the blood alcohol concentration allowed for an individual to plea down to impaired driving;
▸ provides mandatory minimum sentences for certain individuals with prior convictions for driving under the influence who violate ignition interlock requirements;
▸ clarifies that an ignition interlock restriction period begins on the date of installation of the ignition interlock system;
▸ clarifies that the prohibition on operating a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock system installed on the vehicle begins on the date of conviction, not the date of installation of the ignition interlock system;
▸ amends penalties for subsequent offenses related to refusal of a chemical test or negligent operation of a vehicle that results in injury;
▸ amends sentencing requirements for certain offenses of negligent operation of a vehicle that results in injury when there is evidence that the individual was also driving under the influence;
▸ amends sentencing requirements for an offense of negligent operation of a vehicle that results in death;
▸ amends provisions related to pretrial detention of an individual arrested for driving under the influence with another case pending or while on probation for a previous offense of driving under the influence;
▸ requires pretrial detention or electronic monitoring for an individual that is arrested for driving under the influence while already on probation for or while another case is pending for driving under the influence;

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 43
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Driving under the influence (DUI) detrimentally affects children, exposing them to physical danger, emotional trauma, and potential disruptions in their lives. Witnessing or experiencing a parent's DUI can lead to lasting emotional, cognitive, and behavioral consequences, impacting a child's overall well-being and development. This bill would help children's overall safety.

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

National PTA Enforcement of Laws Regarding Alcohol, Drugs, and Driving Under the Influence

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations will support strict enforcement of driving under the influence laws and the passage of more stringent laws that would remove from the road drivers under the influence of alcohol or other drugs;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

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

HB0396S01 | Paid Professional Hours for Educators

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires the State Board of Education to provide funding to local education agencies for additional paid professional hours for educators.

Highlighted Provisions: 

13 ▸ requires the State Board of Education (state board) to provide funding to local
14 education agencies (LEAs) for additional paid professional hours for educators;
15 ▸ describes the professional development LEAs will provide with state board funding;
16 and
17 ▸ requires the Executive Appropriations Committee, in preparing budget bills, to use
18 one-time appropriations in the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted
19 Account for a certain amount of paid professional hours for educators.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 51
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$64,000,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2023: to State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic Programs, as a one-time appropriation: from the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account, One-time, $64,000,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

More funding flexibly directed to educators' needs can only benefits children.

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

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

 

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations educate parents and community members to support practices which enhance teacher capacity, school leadership, family and student engagement, student-centered learning climates, and instruction and curriculum alignment;