Legislative Bills

HB0428S02 | Public Education Governance and Appeals

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses authority of the State Board of Education over the public education system and certain local school board appeals.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill establishes the Public Education Appeals Panel (panel) to decide appeals regarding certain local school board decisions and policies; establishes a right for parents representing a certain percentage of total enrollment within a local education agency to submit an appeal to the panel; allows certain rulings, including:
• requiring a local school board to seek state board ratification of a modified decision or policy; or
• revoking a local school board's authority over a school district and assigning management of the school district to another local school board or the state board for a period of time;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0428S02

Year:

2021

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 05, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Impact on Children:

This bill allows the vocal minority to potentially overturn decisions made by a majority elected body and is a threat to our democratic republic form of government.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

Utah PTA Poistion Statement on HB 428 Public Education Governance and Appeals

Based upon the following principles found within the Utah PTA Public Policy Program, Utah PTA is opposed to HB 428 Public Education Governance and Appeals. We are concerned that this bill is a threat to the democratic republic form of government that our nation is built upon. This bill allows the vocal minority to potentially overturn decisions made by a majority elected body. Constituents need to be engaged and involved in the process and have the opportunity to voice public comment during school board meetings and in direct conversations with their elected representatives. This bill bypasses the voters and turns decisions over to a Public Education Appeals Panel of appointed members. Utah PTA encourages our membership to be actively engaged and involved in all levels of governance as we advocate for children.

"The Utah PTA is a non-profit, grassroots, child advocacy association made up of parents, teachers, and students. The legislative program of the Utah PTA is derived from the work of PTA in home, school, and community. PTA efforts “to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth” are based upon: (1) the recognition of the home as the foundation of our society; (2) parental involvement as an essential component of all policy-making processes pertaining to children; (3) the observance and understanding of the rights and obligations of responsible citizenship and ethical government; and, (4) the realization that maintaining a free and public education system is a cornerstone of democracy—that the Utah Public Education System is created in the state Constitution to “secure and perpetuate” freedom.

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation:
1. 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.
2. High standards for those who work in all areas concerned with children and youth.
3. Coordination and planning by all agencies with clear definition of responsibility at each level of government.
4. Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.
5. Maximum local control when it serves the best interest of all children and youth."

The Utah PTA Public Program is the primary authority for public policy action and statements by Utah PTA on state and local legislation and administrative policies and regulations.

HB0430S01 | Prohibition of Genital Mutilation

Description

General Description:

This bill prohibits female genital mutilation and provides a penalty.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0430S01

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 27, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-2 | Child Abuse and Neglect

Impact on Children:

This bill would protect a girl from the consequences of genital mutilation and consider the practice child abuse, in all cases. It allows prosecution for the later of 10 years past the act or past the age of 18.

Commission:

Family Life

Health

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.

HB0431S02 | Kinship Child Placement Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses kinship caregivers for children in the custody of the Division of Child and Family Services.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill: ▸defines terms; ▸when a child in the custody of the Division of Child and Family Services (division) is placed with the child's relative, requires the division to offer a one-time payment to the relative to help support the child prior to the relative becoming a licensed or certified kinship caregiver; ▸requires the division to report information regarding payments provided to kinship caregivers to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0431S02

Year:

2025

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 07, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2018-1 | Foster Care Standards

Impact on Children:

This bill would allow a child to be placed in a happy home while they are waiting for a family to get foster ready and provide for their needs in the meantime.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations promote the recruitment of more foster/adoptive families; encourage PTA members to become licensed foster/adoptive families; and continue to work with the Division of Child and Family services and the legislature to ensure that standards are not lowered in order to generate a greater number of approved foster care providers; and be it further

Resolved,That Utah PTA and its constituent associations, advocate for an increase in funding, a raise in the out-of-home reimbursement rate and funding for some childcare expenses of foster children to ensure quality foster homes and services

HB0432S04 | Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Enforcement Modifications

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to tobacco and electronic cigarette products.

Highlighted Provisions:

Repeals the ban on flavored vapes, would increase the nicotine content in vape products and repeals the requirement that electronic cigarette products obtain premarket authorization from the FDA

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0432S04

Year:

2025

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 07, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth

Impact on Children:

Flavored tobacco products are specifically targeted to youth. Nearly 90% of youth e-cigarette users use flavored products, with fruit, candy/desserts/other sweets.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved,That Utah PTA support state and local ordinances that appropriately address regulations of ENDS products

Files

Attachment	Size
HB 432 Talking Points.pdf	152.24 KB

HB0434S01 | Funding for Necessarily Existent Small Schools and Rural Schools Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to formulas for funding for necessarily existent small schools and creates a process to reimburse rural schools for expenses related to extracurricular activities.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0434S01

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 28, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$100,000

This bill appropriates: to State Board of Education -- Minimum School Program -- Related to Basic School Programs, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $100,000.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2010-2 | Education Funding (retired)

Impact on Children:

Provides students that attend small rural schools the opportunity for greater access to extracurricular activities.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2010-2 Education Funding - 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.

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.

Links

Utah PTA EDU 2010-2 Funding for Education

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities

HB0434S02 | Health and Human Services Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Highlighted Provisions:

If a student does not have a current asthma action plan on file with the school, a qualified adult may administer stock albuterol to the student if the qualified adult reasonably believes the child is experiencing an asthma emergency.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0434S02

Year:

2025

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 27, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

Asthma attacks coupled with the lack of a recuse medication, such as alubterol, can have severe consequences. Having access and the ability to provide albuterol in school can quickly aide in improvig symptoms.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

Elements of Comprehensive Health Programs

- Health Services that appropriately reflect the educational and community commitment to address identified health problems that limit students’ abilities to learn.

HB0434 | Parent and Student Rights and School Safety Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends requirements for a local education agency (LEA) to address bullying incidents.

Highlighted Provisions:

15 ▸ clarifies that a school may share certain information regarding an incident of
16 bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, or retaliation with a parent upon
17 request;
18 ▸ requires a school to provide regular communication updates to a parent regarding
19 the implementation of an action plan to address an incident of bullying,
20 cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, or retaliation;
21 ▸ requires an LEA to designate an individual for bullying incident response and
22 outlines the individual's duties;
23 ▸ requires civil rights law training for LEA employees

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0434

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:

SAF 2001-1 | Bullying

Impact on Children:

When adults respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior they send the message that it is not acceptable. Research shows this can stop bullying behavior over time.
This bill will help prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a bullying prevention strategy.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage local units to work with the school administration to establish a school climate that clearly and emphatically disapproves of bullying; and be it further

Resolved, That each local unit work with the school administration to develop a school program in compliance with district policies, designed by the entire school community, including parents, teachers, students, professional staff, custodial staff and others, that includes a list of rules, posted in each classroom, against bullying to create a school climate where bullying is not tolerated; and be it further

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations support policies and programs that address the prevention, intervention, and elimination of bullying; and

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations endeavor, via educational literature, programs, and projects for parents, students, and school personnel, to bring about an atmosphere of zero tolerance for bullying behavior, and an attitude that bullying behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in homes, schools, playgrounds, buses, school activities, or any place children congregate

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.
To bring in to closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate more intelligently in the education of children and youth.
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.

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.

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.

HB0437S03 | Interdicted Person Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill provides that an individual convicted of driving under the influence may be designated as an interdicted person.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill provides that a person convicted of driving under the influence may be designated as an interdicted person and is prohibited from purchasing alcohol for a certain time period;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0437S03

Year:

2025

Status:

House/ to Governor

Last Action:

Mar 12, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

This bill will help keep children safer because it will allow the courts to designate a person convicted of DUI to be designated as an interdicted person and not allow them to purchase alcohol.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

National PTA Resolution on 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 secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

HB0438 | Electronic Cigarette Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions relating to the provision of electronic cigarette products.

Highlighted Provisions:

sets a limit for nicotine content for an electronic cigarette product that may be sold
in the State at 3%

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0438

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:

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth

Impact on Children:

E-cigarettes are the most used tobacco products by our students. The nicotine they contain are harmful to the teenage brain. It’s highly addictive, impacts their emotional well-being, and studies have shown that it causes a cycle of depression that the user feels can only be relieved by increased usage.

Commission:

Student Leadership

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA support state and local ordinances that appropriately address regulations of ENDS product

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

HB0440S02 | School Lunch Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts provisions related to school community councils, school meals, and recess in public school.

Highlighted Provisions:

Creates a lunch share table. Requires school community councils for K - 6th grade to hold a school lunch planning meeting and report on meeting lunch target goals. Students are to have 20 minutes of seated lunch time. The goal is to increase food availability and to ensure student have enough time to eat their lunches.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0440S02

Year:

2026

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 06, 2026

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Local Issue

Impact on Children:

Commission:

Health

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

National PTA Resolution on Improving School Meal Programs - Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent associations support legislation and advocate for wellness policies, which include measurable goals and standards regarding child nutrition, that will ensure sufficient time for students to receive and consume a meal, and provide for recess opportunities;

Legislative Bills

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