Legislative Bills

HB0072S02 | Device Filter Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill establishes filter requirements and enforcement mechanisms for tablets and smart phones activated in the state on or after January 1 of the year following the year this bill takes effect.

Highlighted Provisions:

requires a tablet or a smart phone (a device) manufactured on or after January 1,
15 2022, to, when activated in the state, automatically enable a filter capable of
16 blocking material that is harmful to minors;
17 ▸ requires the filter enabled at activation to:
18 • prevent the user of the device from accessing material that is harmful to minors
19 on the device;
20 • enable certain users to deactivate the filter for the device or for specific content;
21 and
22 • notify the user when content is filtered;
23 ▸ provides a process for the attorney general or a member of the public to bring a civil
24 action against a manufacturer that manufactures a device on or after January 1,
25 2022, if:
26 • the device does not contain an enabled filter upon activation in the state; and
27 • a minor accessed material that is harmful to minors on the device;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0072S02

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 23, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

This bill provides that each smart phone or tablet (device) that is manufactured after Jan. 1, 2022 , when activated in the state of Utah, will come with the filters blocking material harmful to minors. What this means for children in Utah, is if they are given a device manufactured after Jan. 1, 2022 it will have filters in place to protect them from materials harmful to children. This helps increase in the number of children who are protected from materials harmful to minors on their own device which may also protect other children who may have access to this device also. This is very important for Utah PTA to follow because device manufacturers have thus far been unwilling to manufacture safe devices for children and youth which are free from materials harmful to children. In fact, these device companies are likely to fight against this bill. We should advocate to protect the developing adolescent brains from this harmful material just as we advocate to protect their developing brains from alcohol or vaping or smoking.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Mass Media Position Statement
Resolved, That Utah PTA and constituent associations urge its members at all levels to advocate for federal and local laws, regulations and programs that prohibit digital content that is considered illegal or harmful to children;

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,

HB0077 | Education Funding Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions regarding public education funding.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0077

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 28, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2010-2 | Education Funding (retired)

Impact on Children:

1. Establishes a limit on the local property tax of 4% that goes towards an increase in the weighted pupil unit (WPU).

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2010-2 Funding for Public Education - Resolved, That Utah PTA continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority.

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2010-2 Funding for Public Education - 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 Priorities 2019-20 #2. Support education appropriations which fully fund enrollment growth and increase the WPU by 6%.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities 2019-20 #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 Resolution EDU 2010-2 Funding for Education

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities 2019-20

HB0079 | State School Board Governance Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions relating to the State Board of Education.

Highlighted Provisions:

12 < defines terms;
13 < reduces the size and modifies the membership of the State Board of Education (from 15 to 9);
14 < provides that members of the State Board of Education are appointed by the
15 governor, with the consent of the Senate;
16 < addresses board member terms and vacancies;
17 < provides for the transition from old board members to new board members (2 6 year terms);
18 < removes the State Board of Education from provisions of the Election Code"

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0079

Year:

2022

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 04, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2015-3 | State Board of Education

Impact on Children:

There are many changes to consider in this bill.
1. Elected vs. Appointed. It is often said that elected school board members are more accountable than appointed ones. [Utah PTA supports non-partisan elections]
2. Reduction of school board members from 15 to 6. May reduce the voice of some communities. [Utah PTA does not have an official position]
3. Election term lengthening from 4 to 6 years with a maximum of 2 terms. Only one member may be affected by the 12 year maximum rule. [Utah PTA does not have an official position]
4. No party affiliation is noted. [Utah PTA supports non partisan elections]

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA recognizes the State Board of Education as the body elected to establish policy and standards for education in the State of Utah That Utah PTA support legislation which enacts direct, nonpartisan election of State School Board members and opposes partisan election of the same body.

HB0081 | Mental Health Days for Students

Description

General Description:

This bill adds mental or behavioral health as a valid excuse for a school absence.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill adds mental or behavioral health as a valid excuse for school absence

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0081

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 11, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

While the concept of allowing absence for reasons of mental or behavioral health is laudable, parents can currently excuse their child's absences for any reason.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

NPTA Mental Health Programs and Services
That National PTA and its constituent associations promote educational programs for parents and families to strengthen understanding and supportive home
environment.

HB0081S02 | Sexual Solicitation Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies the elements and penalties for sexual solicitation and related offenses.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill amends the enhanced penalties for HIV positive offenders for the offenses of prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, and sexual solicitation;
it also adjusts the elements and penalties for the offense of sexual solicitation;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0081S02

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 22, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2016-2 | Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Impact on Children:

The penalty will be increased with the sexual solicitation of a minor both online and in person.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That 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 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.

Legislative Bills

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