Legislative Bills

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.

HB0080 | Firearm Storage Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the storage of firearms.

Highlighted Provisions:

Would make it a crime for an adult to leave a firearm unsecured if a child under 16 gets access to it and uses it unlawfully.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0080

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

Support

Impact on Children:

Focuses on child safety by giving law enforcement a tool to hold adults accountable when: A loaded gun is left unsecured, A person under 16 gains access to it, And the child then uses the gun unlawfully

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

Safe storage of firearms including the use of safety locks and other safety devices to prevent youth from obtaining and discharging a gun

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.

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.

HB0081S01 | School Counselor Services

Description

General Description:

This bill directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules regarding school counselors.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0081S01

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 21, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2017-2 | Support for Counselors, Psychologists, and Social Workers in Schools

Impact on Children:

School Counselors need to be available for the children and not caught up in administrative work.

Commission:

Health

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations be involved in local and statewide efforts to educate parents, teachers, administrators and policy makers including school board members, to understand the need for and benefit of counseling programs in both secondary and elementary schools

Legislative Bills

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