Legislative Bills

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HB0001S01 | Public Education Base Budget Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill supplements or reduces appropriations otherwise provided for the support and operation of public education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024, and appropriates funds for the support and operation of public education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This is the Public Education Funding bill

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$17,290,013,800
This bill appropriates $19,093,800 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2024, including: $9,122,900 from the Uniform School Fund; and $9,970,900 from various sources as detailed in this bill. This bill appropriates $7,742,706,000 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2025, including: $9,157,400 from the General Fund; $4,543,948,700 from the Uniform School Fund; $242,027,800 from the Income Tax Fund; and $2,947,572,100 from various sources as detailed in this bill. This bill appropriates $3,327,000 in expendable funds and accounts for fiscal year 2025. This bill appropriates $881,484,300 in restricted fund and account transfers for fiscal year 2025, including: $500,599,900 from the Uniform School Fund; $379,134,400 from the Income Tax Fund; and $1,750,000 from various sources as detailed in this bill. This bill appropriates $118,600 in fiduciary funds for fiscal year 2025.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support w/ Comment

Utah PTA supports a strong funding system for our K-12 public schools.  This year's Public Education Base Budget Bill proposes significant funding formula changes to several important programs. These changes are problematic because they create winners and losers among LEAs by giving additional funding to some while taking funding from others.  This could cause a loss of programs needed to support our students.

Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This bill outlines how the funding for Public Education will be spent this year.

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

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;

HB0013 | Distracted Driver Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to the use of a handheld wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 37
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

The changes would increase the ability to enforce the law by not allowing any manual manipulation and thereby making Utah roads safer for all.

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

Resolved, That PTA and its constituent associations support the adoption and enforcement of laws that restrict the manipulation of handheld and portable communication devices while driving;

HB0013 | Children's Hearing Aid Program Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses the Children's Hearing Aid Program.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 17
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill extends the repeal date for the Children's Hearing Aid Program

  1. This bill extends the repeal date for the Children's Hearing Aid Program
  2. Every child deserves a high-quality education, and that's why National PTA fights to ensure all children, including those with special needs, have access to an optimum learning environment.
Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its organizations support continued state and local funding to at least the present level to sustain present programs to educate students with disabilities, including intellectual, physical, emotional, and psychological disabilities; and be it further

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

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: 

National PTA Position Statement - Education of Children with Special Needs: Other community entities that provide related services to students such as health care, counseling, social services, and hospitals should be expected to share in the cost or delivery of services to children who are disabled.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the primary federal law authorizing state and local aid for special education and related services for children with disabilities. IDEA requires states to provide a free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment possible. National PTA is committed to insuring students with special needs have access to opportunities that make them college and career-ready, and that parents are closely involved in the process.

HB0013 | School and Child Care Center Water Testing Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses water quality for schools and child care centers.

Highlighted Provisions: 

"This bill: ▸ requires testing of drinking water for lead at schools and child care centers;
▸ addresses funding;
▸ requires action if lead test results are above a certain level;
▸ addresses records to be kept"

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 16
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$2,000,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2022: to the State Board of Education - State Administrative Office, as a one-time appropriation: from the Education Fund, One-time, $2,000,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Exposure to lead can seriously harm a child's health, including damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, and hearing and speech problems. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Passage of this legislation will reduce or eliminate children's exposure to lead exposure in schools and child care centers.

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

NPTA Resolution on Lead Poisoning Prevention
That the National PTA and its constituent associations support the removal of all sources of lead from Resolved, That the National PTA and its constituent associations advocate for lead testing and the remediation of lead contaminated soils and water; and , That the National PTA and its constituent associations support the removal of all sources of lead, including its complete removal of lead from all paints, building materials, and consumer products.

HB0014 | School Threat Penalty Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses threatening or falsely reporting an emergency at a school.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Requires a student to be suspended or expelled from a public school if the student makes a false emergency report targeted at a school; enhances the penalties for making a threat against a school; makes it a second degree felony for an actor to make a false emergency report in certain circumstances;

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 12, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 7
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

Utah PTA supports increasing the safety for children at school. False reports draw resources away from legitimate incidents. False reports disrupts learning and increases mental distress of students.

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

Support programs chosen by the individual schools or LEAs that promote feelings of safety and establish a positive and supportive school culture;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

SAFETY: Support funding to strengthen school safety measures. This includes the improvement of school infrastructure to ensure safety and security, implementation of comprehensive safety training, adoption of evidence-based strategies for community violence intervention and means reduction, as well as the education of families and communities on school safety protocols, children's online security, and the assessment of digital threats posed to schools across Utah.

HB0015S02 | Child Care Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies provisions related to child care.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Department of Health has authority over municipalities and cities, housing allocation for the expansion of child care facilities, allow increase in after school care, certification of residential child care providers, removes limit of children under 2 in residential care, COVID relief fund grants for child care.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 15, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 50
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

We recognize the need to expand access to child care in Utah, but we also need to maintain high quality child care so these children's potential become a reality.

Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA support appropriate regulations to ensure quality child care. That Utah PTA help to educate parents concerning the dangers of leaving all school children unattended, even if the children appear to be mature and have learned survival skills.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

Policy #2 High standards for those who work in all areas concerned with children and youth

HB0015 | Controlled Substance Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies the Utah Controlled Substances Act.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Requires a practitioner to check the controlled substance database and consult with other practitioners when issuing a long-term prescription for an opiate or a benzodiazapine

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 11, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill will tighten up our laws to reduce opiate abuse by preventing "doctor shopping" and illegal prescription practices.

Commission: 
Health
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

NPTA Position Statement: Recommendations Regarding Prescription Opiate Abuse Awareness and Preventions
Incentivizing state participation in prescription monitoring programs as a mechanism to exchange prescription data and to prevent “doctor shopping” and illegal prescription practices.

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.

HB0016S03 | Sexual Offenses Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses certain sexual crimes committed against children.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill: clarifies the conduct required for an actor to be guilty of: rape of a child; object rape of a child; sexual abuse of a child; and aggravated sexual abuse of a child;

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 55
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill clarifies sexual offense terms and what they include. This bill will make it so that terms are clear when discussing rape of a child. This would help to keep children safer as this would remove predators from their homes once the abuse is found out.

Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolve from That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for adequate laws to protect children in all areas of child abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation

HB0017S02 | Firearm Violence and Suicide Prevention Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill reenacts and modifies previously sunsetted provisions relating to a voluntary firearm safety program and a suicide prevention education course.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 28, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$510,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2020: to Department of Human Services - Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $10,000. to Department of Human Services - Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, as a one-time appropriation: from General Fund Restricted, One-time - Concealed Weapons Account, $500,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Training and Safety information to prevent injury

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

That Utah PTA support educational programs and intervention strategies designed to do the following: 1) Teach firearm responsibility through use of Utah PTA approved and recognized programs. 2) Encourage parents to talk with and educate their children about gun safety and responsible firearm usage; and be it further

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.

 

HB0018S01 | Driver Education Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to driver education requirements and driver licenses.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
          ▸     extends the term of a learner permit from one year to 18 months;
          ▸     changes identifying information required on a driver license application to include "sex" instead of "gender";
          ▸     removes certain references to a "school district" and replaces that term with "local education agency" to ensure that Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind receive funding and resources for driver education;
          ▸     prohibits rules requiring driver education observation hours; and
          ▸     makes technical changes.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 20
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support

We are having the PTSA students follow this bill as part of the virtual Student Days at the Capitol.

We are supportive of the additional 6 months for the learner's permit, and of the change in observation hours due to COVID restrictions.

Impact on Children: 

This bill would directly impact high school students learning to drive. We want them to get involved with bills that they can use to help them learn to advocate for themselves.

Commission: 
Student Leadership
Day at the Capitol
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

National PTA Resolution on Teen Driving Safety

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

#6 - Civic Engagement & character development

Having the students follow this bill will help the students develop skills in these areas.

HB0020S01 | Driving Under the Influence Sentencing Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to penalties for driving under the influence and related offenses.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
prohibits sentencing reductions for driving under the influence related offenses in
certain circumstances; requires reinstatement of certain sentences if an individual fails to complete certain requirements of an approved 24/7 sobriety program; creates a separate offense for each person in a vehicle that is under 16 years old
when the driver is operating the vehicle while under the influence of drugs or
alcohol; prohibits an impaired driving reduction if: the person had a blood alcohol level of .16 or higher; the person had a blood alcohol level of .05 or higher in addition to any
measurable controlled substance in the person's body; or the person had a combination of two or more controlled substances in the person's body that were not appropriately prescribed or recommended;
provides additional sentencing options for certain individuals convicted of
driving under the influence;
for purposes of sentencing, excludes from the definition of "controlled substance" an
inactive metabolite of the controlled substance;

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 16, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

No child should be put in danger from drunk driving. Drunk driving is not only irresponsible but criminal. This bill will deter the instance of DUI and decrease the crash risk of offenders. Offenders are already arrested because of impairment. This bill increases penalties and prohibits sentencing reductions if the offender has more than .16 BAC or a combination of two or more controlled substances in their body that were not appropriately prescribed.

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;

Resolved, That Utah State PTA support stiffer penalties for alcohol and drug possession by minors; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah State PTA support legislation to suspend driving privileges of minors for alcohol and drug possession offenses.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

5. Support measures to promote safe and healthy environments and behaviors for children to prevent suicide, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking,

HB0020 | Human Trafficking Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill clarifies and amends certain language regarding human trafficking and creates an offense for trafficking a vulnerable adult.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 21, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 26
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

This bill replaces references to "children engaged in prostitution" with "children engaged in commercial sex";and directs law enforcement to investigate possible human trafficking of a child when they encounter a child engaged in commercial sex; This law also allows victims to seek Civil recourse from their human traffickers or those benefiting from human trafficking of the victim.

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

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;

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;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Child Trafficking Resolution from 2009:
Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations support the adoption and enforcement of laws that will deter the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of children for the purpose of exploitation; and be it further

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations advocate for the protection of rights of victims and support efforts to provide measures for the physical, psychological, and social recovery of victims of child trafficking; and be it further

HB0021S01 | School and Child Care Center Water Testing Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses water quality for schools and child care centers.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill requires certain testing of water for lead at schools and child care centers

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 23, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 16
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Exposure to lead can seriously harm a child's health, including: damage to the brain and nervous system; slowed growth and development; learning and behavior problems; and, hearing and speech problems. The key is to keep children from coming into contact with lead. Drinking water delivered through lead-based pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures (often found in Utah's older schools and day care facilities) is of especial concern.
 

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

National PTA urges its members at all levels to monitor, support, and advocate for laws, regulations, and programs that protect children from health risks by testing for specific hazards in and around homes and schools and, if hazards are found, by limiting exposure and addressing remedies.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

Environmental Health, Remediation, Sustainability and Climate Change

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

PTA Calls on Congress and the Administration to Invest in School Infrastructure: Address health hazards including poor air quality, substandard heating and cooling equipment, unsafe drinking water supply and lead contamination.

HB0021 | Intergenerational Poverty Plan Implementation Program Extension

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies the Legislative Oversight and Sunset Act.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 31, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 58
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill extends the sunset date for the Intergenerational Poverty Plan Implementation Pilot program.

  1. Strengthen families and children social and emotional well being through affordable housing, homelessness initiative.
  2. Award grants to programs impacting those children in Intergenerational Poverty.
Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Utah PTA Resolution FAM 2014-1 Intergenerational Poverty 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.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

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.

HB0021S05 | Open and Public Meetings Act Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies the Open and Public Meetings Act relating to public comment requirements and electronic meetings for certain public bodies.

Highlighted Provisions: 

12          This bill:
13          ▸     requires a local school board holding an open meeting to allow a reasonable
14     opportunity for the public to provide verbal comments at the meeting, subject to
15     certain exceptions;
16          ▸     requires a local school board to adopt a written policy allowing public comment in a
17     public meeting;

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 24
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Allowing reasonable public comment creates a space for advocates of Utah's children to be heard in settings where the welfare of Utah's children and decisions that could affect their future may be being discussed.

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

Resolved,That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage local and state school boards as well as school level administration and school level leadership teams to seek input from parents when developing policies to improve education;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

Advocate: by speaking on behalf of all children and youth in schools, in the community, before governmental bodies, and before other organizations that make decisions affecting children.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. Support policies which will increase family and community engagement and promote local positive parental involvement across the state of Utah.

HB0022 | Concurrent Enrollment Revisions

Description
General Description: 

This bill expands the eligibility of a PRIME program certificate.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Expands concurrent enrollment certificate achievement and opportunities for more students in the state, to include CTE and apprenticeships, etc.

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 12, 2024
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 56
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill would create more opportunities for more students for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and apprenticeship programs.

Commission: 
Student Leadership
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

National Career and Technical Position Statement

National PTA recommends an investment in educating the public regarding recent changes in the scope and nature of CTE programs, including registered apprenticeship and pre- apprenticeship programs and the benefits of CTE for students at all levels of academic achievement, as well as for the general public.

HB0023S07 | Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Amendments

Description
General Description: 

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

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 30, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 55
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending

We support these bills, but we expect changes to continue to be made on all e cigarette and vaping legislation. With these changes, Utah PTA hopes for, and would support, the following three priorities when considering any amendments or substitutes.
1) It decrease access and usage by our youth.
2) It increases enforcement capabilities.
3) It closes loopholes, i.e., grandfather clauses, allowing mint/menthol flavors, etc.

Impact on Children: 

Certain stores that sell vaping products are finding loopholes in the law that allow them to operate close to schools. The bill will help to get tobacco specialty shops identified correctly and away from places where children are located.

Commission: 
Student Leadership
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

4. Support safe practices and environments for all children.

HB0025 | Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force Sunset Extension

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force.

Highlighted Provisions: 

16          This bill:
17          ▸     changes the name of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task
18     Force (task force) to the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Task Force;
19     and
20          ▸     extends from November 30, 2023, to November 30, 2024:

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 25
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

The Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives task force would be extended for a year. The task force will provide a report to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee with a summary of their findings and ideas for improvement to keep indigenous women and children safer.

Commission: 
Community Engagement
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 secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

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

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

Assist in the identification and return of missing or runaway children.