Legislative Bills

SB0177 | Scholarships for Special Needs Students

Description

General Description:

This bill creates the Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program and related income tax credits.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0177

Year:

2019

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2010-2 | Education Funding (retired)

Impact on Children:

This is a private school voucher. Utah PTA opposes the diversion of public education monies to private schools.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA oppose vouchers, tax credits and deductions and other similar funding sources for public and private preschool, elementary and secondary school tuition and other education-related expenses for students.

SB0177S01 | Behavioral Health Crisis Response Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies the Statewide Behavioral Health Crisis Response Account.

Highlighted Provisions:

Brings $14,863,215 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services--Integrated Health Care Services for non-Medicaid Behavioral Health Treatment and Crisis Response

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0177S01

Year:

2022

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 04, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$29,726,400

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2023: to General Fund Restricted -- Behavioral Health Crisis Response Account, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $14,863,200; and to Department of Health and Human Services -- Integrated Health Care Services -- Non-Medicaid Behavioral Health Treatment and Crisis Response, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $14,863,200.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2020-1 | Emotional/Mental Health and Well-Being

Impact on Children:

Passage of this bill will further expand state resources to help with the growing needs of crisis response efforts involving mental health issues, providing ongoing funding for these critical efforts.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA support collaborative efforts between the home, school, private physicians,
and community resource agencies to create mental health support networks for families, to recognize the prevalence and need for recognition of mental health illnesses and associated diagnosis and treatment, and to increase the number of psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and mental health professionals to provide adequate services for those needing help;

SB0177 | Absenteeism Prevention Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill allows a school age child's grade to include attendance under certain circumstances.

Highlighted Provisions:

Allows a school age child's grade to include attendance under certain circumstances;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0177

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 21, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2023-2 | Chronic Absenteeism

Impact on Children:

Studies indicate that chronic absenteeism, whether excused or unexcused, is a proven predictor of lower academic performance, study skills and habits, and higher dropout rates; chronic absenteeism also tends to predict significant adverse consequences in students’ lives, from the inability to reach early learning milestones to poorer outcomes later in life and lower overall wellbeing

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations urge the Utah legislature to appropriate sufficientfundingforthecollectionanddetailedanalysisofdataonchronicabsenteeism;for thecreation,implementationandrolloutofprogramsforchronicallyabsentstudents;andfor information campaigns to parents and students

SB0177S02 | Child Welfare Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to child safety and welfare.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill (Sub 1): ▸amends definitions for the Juvenile Code; ▸amends provisions regarding the time and circumstances under which a person may seek review of certain child abuse or neglect findings; ▸addresses the evidence that a juvenile court shall hear at a shelter hearing; ▸addresses what a juvenile court considers when determining whether reunification services are appropriate;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0177S02

Year:

2025

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 26, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-2 | Child Abuse and Neglect

Impact on Children:

This bill enhances child safety by recording severe abuse findings to bar offenders from working with children and by ensuring that shelter hearings prioritize the child's voice and relevant evidence. It also favors temporary placements with relatives or friends to support the child.

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

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:

Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social, emotional and physical learning and well-being

SB0178S01 | Devices in Public Schools

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging technologies during classroom hours.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill addresses the use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging technologies during the school day.
▸prohibits a student from using a cellphone, smart watch, or emerging technology during the school day;
▸allows a local education agency to create exemptions to the prohibition; and
▸permits the State Board of Education to create model policies

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0178S01

Year:

2025

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 25, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support w/ Comment

Utah PTA supports the wellbeing and education of the children of Utah. Teachers and school administrators from across the state report on how cell phones have a detrimental effect on the learning and mental health of our students. We believe we should take action to protect our youth, but there should be some flexibility and local control by schools to address concerns of those with medical or educational needs.

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2023-2 | Digital Citizenship and Wellness

Impact on Children:

Devices in the public schools are causing problems for teachers, students and the learning environment. By prohibiting cell phones and other digital devices in the schools, distraction will decrease and teachers will be empowered for teaching in their classrooms.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for laws, policies, and technology development which protects children and youth from surveillance capitalism, persuasive technology, and algorithms which encourage addictive usage of social media

Assist schools, community councils, parents and students in learning safe and responsible digital wellness and citizen behaviors through trainings, consultation, and distribution of resources;

Work with legislators, state and local school boards, and school community councils to establish appropriate social media policies and discipline measures in regards to, but not limited to, cyberbullying, sexting, and hazing

SB0178 | Education Deadline and Fiscal Flexibility

Description

General Description:

This bill extends or provides flexibility regarding certain education deadlines and spending restrictions.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill allows a local education agency (LEA) to transfer a portion of state restricted funds
in the LEA's general fund to be used without the state restrictions under certain conditions; extends certain expenditure deadlines by one fiscal year; delays by one year a requirement that a student fee be equal to or less than the cost to the LEA of providing an activity, course, or program.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0178

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 17, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

This bill gives funding flexibility to LEAs to meet some of the challenges brought about by the covid-19 pandemic. It also delays some deadlines giving LEAs more time to comply.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

PS STU 2021 Coronavirus Pandemic Impact on Student Learning
Resolved, that Utah PTA, parents, policy leaders and educators must communicate clearly and honestly about the challenges they are facing, and share the steps they are taking to support educators, students and families,

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Support education appropriations that support a 4% increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) and additional appropriations that support schools/districts with additional expenses incurred due to Covid 19.

SB0179 | Educator Salary Adjustments Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill adds the educator salary adjustments to the list of programs receiving a cost adjustment for inflation.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill adds the educator salary adjustments to the list of programs receiving a cost adjustment for inflation

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0179

Year:

2023

Status:

Senate/ 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:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Impact on Children:

Educators salaries deserve to be indexed to inflation. This serves as a minimal tool for attraction and retention of educators.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA support adequate funding for and encourage consideration of financial incentives to recruit and retain highly qualified and effective educators, including appropriation of adequate funding to upgrade salary schedules

SB0183 | Educator Salary Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill makes additions to the appropriations calculation of certain educator salary programs.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
13          ▸     adds an appropriation adjustment for the educator salary adjustments and the
14     Teacher Salary Supplement Program;
15          ▸     modifies what constitutes an eligible teacher for purposes of the educator salary
16     adjustments and the Teacher Salary Supplement Program;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0183

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 17, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Impact on Children:

Better paid teachers helps attracting and retaining good teachers

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA support adequate funding for and encourage consideration of financial incentives to recruit and retain highly qualified and effective educator

SB0184S03 | School Assessment and Accountability Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill makes amendments to provisions related to public school assessment and accountability.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
▸ provides that, for the 2020-2021 school year, the State Board of Education is not
required to:
• identify schools not achieving state-established acceptable levels of student
performance for the 2020-2021 school year;
• assign to each school an overall rating using an A through F letter grading scale;
• publish a report card for each school on the state board's website; or
• determine school performance success and student academic achievement under the Teacher and Student Success Program.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0184S03

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 17, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2014-1 | Public School Accountability

Impact on Children:

Perceptions of school quality are impacted by schools’ accountability ratings and have consequences for the economy of the schools’ community. It will be beneficial to remove the focus on assessment in order to focus on helping students and schools overcome the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA advocates against the implementation of any accountability system that reduces the evaluation of a school to a single grade or score, that ranks schools beyond statistical confidence, and that grades on a bell curve.

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.

SB0186S01 | Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Amendments

Description

General Description:

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

Highlighted Provisions:

A local health department may conduct regular inspections of a business that sells electronic cigarette products

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0186S01

Year:

2025

Status:

Senate/ 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:

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth

Impact on Children:

Allow health departments to inspect stores selling vaping products to ensure they are following regulations

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA seek and support legislation that would include ENDS in the Utah Code Annotated definition of tobacco products and treat them as such –including the need for licensing, sales restrictions, tax parity, and marketing;

Legislative Bills

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